Robert Mugabe has attended a university graduation ceremony on the outskirts of Harare in his first public appearance since a takeover by the Zimbabwean military. The statement appeared to have been aimed at quelling growing concerns that the military takeover could descend swiftly into chaos. The fact that the military allowed Mugabe to attend the graduation ceremony suggests it wants its intervention to be seen as primarily directed at the president’s wife, Grace Mugabe, and her associates. Neither Grace Mugabe nor Jonathan Moyo, the higher education minister, was present at the graduation ceremony. Grace Mugabe has not been seen since the takeover.

Source: The Guardian November 17, 2017 08:33 UTC