- Title: Timeline of coup that ended Robert Mugabe's rule of Zimbabwe
- Date: 6th September 2019
- Summary: PLACARD WITH PICTURE OF MNANGAGWA READING (English): "OUR HERO, OUR HOPE"
- Embargoed: 20th September 2019 09:09
- Keywords: ZIMBABWE / MUGABE / COUP / PRESIDENT ROBERT / MNANGAGWA /
- Location: HARARE AND CHINHOYI, ZIMBABWE
- City: HARARE AND CHINHOYI, ZIMBABWE
- Country: Zimbabwe
- Topics: Government/Politics,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA009AVIR8ZR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: TIMELINE OF EVENTS:
December 10, 2014 - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe appoints justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa as his new vice president.
November 5, 2017 - Grace, Mugabe's 52-year-old wife, tells a political rally that Mnangagwa attempted a coup in 1980. A bitter rivalry has been intensifying between Mnangagwa and Grace as they try to succeed Mugabe, who is 93-years-old.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe's military chief Constantino Chiwenga leaves Harare on a pre-arranged official trip and travels to China, which wields significant influence as a major investor in Zimbabwe.
November 6, 2017 - Zimbabwe's Information Minister, Simon Khaya Moyo, says Mnangagwa is sacked as vice president.
November 8, 2017 - Mnangagwa manages to escape over the border into neighbouring Mozambique, where he catches a plane to China, according to one source familiar with his movements. There he meets with Chiwenga, the source says.
November 10, 2017 - Chiwenga's trip to China culminates in him meeting Chinese Defence Minister Chang Wanquan in Beijing.
November 11, 2017 - As Chiwenga's plane returns to Zimbabwe's capital Harare, supporters of the military chief pull together a team of several hundred special forces soldiers and agents. Some are disguised as baggage handlers, their military fatigues and weapons hidden beneath high-visibility jackets and overalls, according to one security source.
Mugabe summons his still-loyal police commissioner, Augustine Chihuri, to detain Chiwenga on his return to Harare, according to government and security sources.
Realising they are outnumbered and outgunned, Chihuri's police team backs down, allowing Chiwenga to touch down without incident.
November 13, 2017 - Chiwenga and a group of military commanders meet with Mugabe at his official State House residence in Harare and say they are "very alarmed" at the firing of Mnangagwa, according to a government source.
The generals ask Mugabe to give assurances that they too will not be purged. Mugabe's response is lukewarm, the government source says.
Hours later, Chiwenga summons reporters to the military's main barracks near Harare for a news conference, in which he says, "The military will not hesitate to step in" to protect the revolution.
November 14, 2017 - Six armoured personnel carriers head towards the headquarters of Mugabe's Presidential Guard on the outskirts of Harare. It is unclear whose command they are under.
Meanwhile, social media buzzes with pictures of armoured vehicles driving along roads to Harare, sparking frenzied speculation about a coup.
November 15, 2017 - Tanks and soldiers are deployed in Harare. Zimbabwe's War Veteran Association calls for Mugabe to be "recalled from his role as the president" at a news conference. The association was historically close with the ruling ZANU-PF party and Mugabe.
A spokesman for Zimbabwe's military, Major General SB Moyo, says in a televised statement that Mugabe and his family are safe.
November 18, 2017 - Harare residents openly celebrate as expectation of Mugabe's resignation builds.
November 19, 2017 - Mugabe appears on television to say he will preside over parliament when it convenes "three weeks from now" and warns that outcomes must not be undermined or compromised. He stuns Zimbabwe by making no mention of resignation, defying his own ZANU-PF party, which had sacked him hours earlier.
November 21, 2017 - As parliament begins impeachment proceedings, Mugabe finally gives up. After 37 years in control, during which much of his country fell into poverty, his letter of resignation says he is stepping down out of "concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe." The speaker of parliament, Jacob Mudenda announces Mugabe's resignation to parliament, sparking celebrations.
November 22, 2017 - Mnangagwa returns to Zimbabwe and tells thousands of supporters gathered outside the ruling ZANU-PF party's offices that the country is entering a new stage of democracy.
November 24, 2017 - Mnangagwa is inaugurated as Zimbabwe's new president. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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