Mugabe Makes First Appearance Since House Arrest

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Mugabe Makes First Appearance Since House Arrest

November 17,
2017

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, center, arrives to preside over a graduation ceremony at
Zimbabwe Open University on the outskirts of Harare, Zimbabwe Friday, Nov. 17, 2017.
Mugabe is making his first public appearance since the military put him under house arrest
earlier this week. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

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Zimbabwes President Robert Mugabe made his first public appearance since the
military placed him under house arrest this week.

Zimbabwes long-time leader attended a graduation ceremony at Zimbabwe Open

University near Harare.

The military, however, has announced significant progress on talks aimed at

having Mugabe step down.

Zimbabwes military continues to show respect for the 93-year-old leader by

referring to him as the president and the commander-in-chief. Mugabe is the worlds
oldest head of state.

However, the military said Friday it was arresting or seeking the arrest of some
people close to Mugabe and his wife.

During the ceremony on Friday, Mugabe wore an academic gown and hat. He walked
slowly to a podium, and he joined the crowd singing the national anthem and
opened the ceremony. But he did not make a speech.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/mugabe-makes-first-appearance-since-under-house-arrest/4120324.html[20/11/2017 5:30:10 PM]

Mugabe Makes First Appearance Since House Arrest

President Robert Mugabe, center, in a meeting with the ZDF Commander General Constantino
Chiwenga, South African Minister of Defense Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (in yellow head wear),
Zimbabwe Defense Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi and Zimbabwe State Security

The state-run Herald newspaper and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation said

military leaders are engaging with the Commander-in-Chief President Robert
Mugabe on the way forward and will advise the nation of the outcome as soon as
possible.

Negotiations appear to be seeking to get Mugabe to agree to hand over power to a

new government. But, timing the process may be difficult. The ruling ZANU-PF
party is to meet next month. Mugabes term as president ends next year, but an
election date has not been set.

The statement from the military said it had made progress to weed out criminals
around President Mugabe.

The military is seeking to remove Cabinet ministers and other top officials associated
with first lady Grace Mugabe.

The Herald also published photos of Mugabe shaking hands with General
Constantino Chiwenga. Chiwenga is the man who ordered Mugabes arrest.

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Mugabe Makes First Appearance Since House Arrest

The military action follows Mugabes dismissal of Vice President Emmerson

Mnangagwa. The dismissal appeared to position Mugabes wife, Grace, as the next
leader.

The first lady was not seen at the graduation ceremony Friday.

Little public reaction has been reported. Zimbabweans went about their daily
business as soldiers and armored vehicles continued to patrol the capital, Harare.

Headlines in some of Zimbabwes newspapers declared the Mugabe era over. Dawn
of a new era, one said. Mugabe remembered for brutal 37-year rule, said another.

Im Mario Ritter.

Hai Do adapted this story for VOA Learning English from an AP story. Mario
Ritter was the editor.

_________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

house arrest n. to be detained by officials in ones own home

significant adj. important, notable

podium n. a small stand from which people give speeches

weed out v. to selectively remove

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