Mugabe makes first public appearance since army takeover

WASHINGTON - 18 November 2017: The military takeover of Zimbabwe grew more puzzling Friday as Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe presided over a university graduation and generals who took control of the country said they were still in talks with the embattled leader, The Washington Post reported.

The appearance suggested that the 93-year-old Mugabe, the world’s oldest leader, was no longer under military detention. It also raised the possibility that the generals who led Tuesday night’s military intervention were backing away from a process that would lead to Mugabe’s dismissal.

On Friday, the military released a statement saying that "significant progress" has been made in its efforts to apprehend members of Mugabe’s government, which commanders have accused of deep corruption and other abuses. Mugabe also had stirred widespread ire for apparent attempts to build a dynasty by seeking to make his wife his successor.

But negotiations with Mugabe were still ongoing, it added, referring obliquely to "the way forward" without explaining whether commanders were seeking Mugabe’s ouster or a different kind of negotiated settlement.