World

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai urges Robert Mugabe to quit

A military vehicle is seen on a street in Harare, Zimbabwe PICTURE: AP
A military vehicle is seen on a street in Harare, Zimbabwe PICTURE: AP A military vehicle is seen on a street in Harare, Zimbabwe PICTURE: AP

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has urged President Robert Mugabe to resign and end the country's political turmoil.

Mr Mugabe has been in military custody, reportedly with his wife, and there was no sign of the recently-fired deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, who fled the country last week.

Mr Tsvangirai called for a negotiated, inclusive transitional mechanism as well as comprehensive reforms before elections.

He told reporters in capital city Harare that a post-election framework is needed to guarantee stability and the southern African regional bloc and African Union should be "underwriters" of it.

Mr Tsvangirai also said he has not been approached to be part of any transitional mechanism but "if we are approached to negotiate such a process, we will participate".

Now leader of the opposition, Mr Tsvangirai shared power with Mr Mugabe between 2009 and 2013 before losing disputed elections. He has been receiving treatment for cancer.

Seizing on the political limbo to speak out, a range of voices urged Mr Mugabe to step aside and for the country to transition into free and fair elections.

Witnesses confirmed a sighting of Mr Mugabe's motorcade moving through the capital, its destination unknown, while the military remained in the streets of Harare.

Southern African regional officials were meeting on the crisis in neighbouring Botswana and South African ministers have arrived in Harare for talks with the military and Mr Mugabe.

South Africa president Jacob Zuma, speaking in parliament, said it would be too early to take any "firm decision" on Zimbabwe and that the political situation "very shortly will be becoming clear".

A joint statement by more than 100 civil society groups urged Mr Mugabe, the world's oldest head of state, to peacefully step aside and asked the military to quickly restore order and respect the constitution. A joint statement by Churches also appealed for calm.

Joice Mujuru, a Zimbabwean vice-president who was fired in 2014, called for "free, fair and credible elections" following a transition arrangement that draws from a range of communities.

The Zimbabwean pastor whose #ThisFlag social media campaign last year led to the largest anti-government protests in a decade called on citizens to "stand up for peace".

"Should we just sit and wait or shall we at least be part of this transition process?" Evan Mawarire asked, urging citizens not to wait for regional leaders to broker the next phase.

Across the country, Zimbabweans were enjoying freedoms they have not had in years. The shift to military control brought a kind of fresh air.

For once, people were not contending with bribe-seeking police officers who mounted roadblocks every few miles.

Soldiers manning the few checkpoints on roads leading into downtown Harare greeted motorists with a smile, searching cars without hostilities and wishing motorists a safe journey.

Human rights groups urged respect for rights as the drama played out.

Amid questions about the whereabouts of first lady Grace Mugabe, one Namibian newspaper, the New Era, reported the country's foreign minister denial she had fled there.

The US Embassy advised citizens in Zimbabwe to "limit unnecessary movements" as political uncertainty continues.