Zimbabwhat? Mugabwho? If you're like me and you're just trying to get the next assignment done before you get halfway through the class it's due in, you're probably just as clueless as I am about this whole issue. But, luckily, I decided to make it my topic so, now everyone gets to understand what's going on.
Robert Mugabe is the current president of Zimbabwe. And, he's been president of Zimbabwe for 37 years. When he came to power, he was a freedom fighter and was thought of the way we think of Nelson Mandela. But, all of that quickly changed when he took office. Mugabe rules with an iron fist, and was quick to ensure little resistance early on in his job as president. He essentially ruled on oppression in order to consolidate his position. Because of the tough policies he created, Zimbabwe was shoved into poverty. Large amounts of land were seized from farmers and because of this, Zimbabwe's agricultural output plummeted while inflation rose. This happened very quickly during his first few years as president. Since then, tensions have risen among frustrated citizens and military members. This is what eventually led to the country's current turmoil.
On Wednesday, Mugabe was placed under house arrest by his military. The military leaders seem to be leading something almost similar to a Coup, but since that is unconstitutional, they continue to assert that it is not a coup. The whole situation happened as a result of Mugabe's dismissal of his Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa. The military wants Mugabe to step down peacefully from his role as president. But, he continues to refuse. Mugabe has also recently been pushing his wife to replace him as the next president. In the past three days, the situation appears to have come to a stand still. The military insists that a deal has been made, but Mugabe has communicated otherwise. On Friday morning, Mugabe was seen at a graduation ceremony presenting a casual, everything is normal attitude despite the current situation.
Where the story gets interesting: Mnangagwa, the dismissed vice president had very strong connections to the military in Zimbabwe. It is thought that he may be the one orchestrating this whole event. It is known that he may have had several talks with military leaders prior to his dismissal and Mugabe being removed from office. This seems to stem from the fact that Mugabe was pressing to appoint his wife Grace as the next president.
Currently, the situation has come to a stand still. The soldiers are in charge, and Mugabe is still under house arrest and does not appear to be relinquishing his role as president any time soon. Harare is still filled with tanks and the capital is surrounded with armored personnel carriers or heavily armored trucks. But until more happens, you should probably finish writing that research paper before Thanksgiving!