Robert Mugabe is insisting he remains Zimbabwe’s only ruler, an intelligence official told Reuters Thursday morning.
The source said Mugabe is resisting mediation by a Catholic priest to allow the 93-year-old former guerrilla a graceful exit after a military coup.
The priest, Fidelis Mukonori, is acting as a middle-man between Mugabe and the generals, who seized power on Wednesday in a targeted operation against “criminals” in his entourage.
Details of the talks appear to be aimed at a smooth and bloodless transition after the departure of Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.
Mugabe had told President Jacob Zuma by telephone that he was confined to his home but was otherwise fine and the military said it was keeping him and his family, including wife Grace, safe.
In an address to the nation after taking control of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, an army spokesman early Wednesday said the military is targeting “criminals” around Mugabe.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that this is not a military takeover”, Major-General SB Moyo said.
“We are only targeting criminals around (Mugabe) who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice.
“As soon as we have accomplished our mission, we expect that the situation will return to normalcy.”
He urged other security forces to “cooperate for the good of our country,” warning that “any provocation will be met with an appropriate response.”
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