Military Did Not Stage Coup in Zimbabwe says AU Ambassador to US

Speaking during a meeting titled ‘Zimbabwe: The Way Forward’ convened by VOA Studio 7 in Washington DC last Thursday, the African Union Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Arikana Chihombori Quao, said there was no coup in Zimbabwe as the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) used a provision of the nation’s constitution to avert a political crisis.

Said Dr Chihombori Quao:

They acted within the constitution to do that. So, there was no coup but there was a provision within the constitution for the army to do that because of the conditions on the ground at that time and they moved in swiftly according to the constitution and address the issue.

We are so glad that Zimbabwe has set an example for Africa how we don’t kill each other. There was no looting, there was no killing. It was a peaceful transition and it’s a good day, it’s a new day in Zimbabwe … From the African Union side we are very proud and pleased that Africa in general and Zimbabwe is leading the way … that we have matured as communities from a political point of view. So, yes Zimbabwe is a success story and I reiterate there was no coup.

More: VOA