The governing party in Zimbabwe has taken first steps towards discontinuation of President Robert Mugabe. All ten national associations of Zanu-PF had expressed suspicion and demanded his resignation from head of state under house arrest, a party representative told. The Central Committee was convened to appoint a new party leader and top candidate for election in coming year.

The daily newspaper Newsday also reported that Mugabe's ten national associations were moved. It was one of several clear signals that support for president, since 1980, is dwindling. The military also reported arrest of "criminals" from its environment. According to eyewitnesses, soldiers, among ors, had appointed Minister of Finance Ignatius Chombo.

Time Online

The war veterans, an influential Zimbabwean association, called for a mass protest on Saturday to demand Mugabe's prompt resignation. "I hope that he will have made his decision by n," said chairman of Association, Chris Mutsvangwa. "If he doesn't go, we'll settle bill tomorrow." He repeatedly described Mugabe and his wife Grace as "a crazy woman and a senile old man." According to him, Mugabe has asked in talks about his departure at his residence to remain in office for "a few days, a few more months". The war veterans were long-time loyal supporters of Mugabe.

Mutsvangwa is an ally of dismissed Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa is also a veteran of War of Independence. After his release, 75-year-old went abroad. In meantime, re are doubts as to news that he has returned to Zimbabwe. That said close confidant of him news agency AP.

Appearance at university

President Mugabe had first appeared in public on Friday at a graduation ceremony of Open University in capital of Harare. He did not address, several thousand graduates and ir guests rose when he and or dignitaries arrived. On podium, Mugabe agreed with crowd in national anm. He is Chancellor of university, she has awarded him an honorary doctorate. On pictures of event, Mugabe was seen in a royal blue academic gown and with mortar.

The military of country in sourn Africa had couped night of Wednesday and put Mugabe under house arrest after he had dismissed vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was respected by generals. The 93-year-old Mugabe had apparently worked to build up his country's unpopular 52-year-old wife, Grace Mugabe.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke out in favour of a return to a civilian government in Zimbabwe. "We should all work toger for a rapid return to civil rule in this country in accordance with its constitution," he said at a meeting with African foreign ministers and diplomats in Washington. A spokesman for Chinese foreign Ministry said Beijing government hoped that conflict in Zimbabwe could be resolved under law.

Correction: The Age of Grace Mugabe was inadvertently confused with age of Veterans ' Association's chairman – it is of course only 52 years old. We've changed that.

Date Of Update: 18 November 2017, 12:02