Bloody Coup Looms in Zimbabwe, Top Analysts Say

via Bloody Coup Looms in Zimbabwe, Top Analysts Say | ZimEye 4 September 2014

International Conflict analysts from a top Rights NGO have issued a warning that a military coup is certain in Zimbabwe if the current political framework is not changed.

The group of theorists from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition say that a military upset can take place at any-time in the next few days and weeks which could lead to a self induced regime challenge.

They compared Zimbabwe with Lesotho which in recent days saw an attempted bloody coup by a former army general.

Said Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition chairman, Dewa Mavinga,“There is a potential military coup if SADC early warning systems do not pick up that there is a serious economic situation in Zimbabwe,’

He warned SADC on the aftermath of a coup should members of the army seize control.
‘We note with deep concern Zimbabwe’s absolute failure to improve the human rights situation in the country as characterised by continuing unlawful farm invasions, police assaults and harassment of journalists and opposition activists, and economic decline,’ Mavinga said.

Political analyst, Philani Zamchiya, says Mugabe’s grip on power will generate discontent and chaos, which will have negative implications on the region, including a massive exodus from ZImbabwe neighbouring countries.

He says allowing his wife, Grace, to get a powerful position in the ruling Zanu-PF party, shows that Mugabe is not interested in handing over power to outsiders. The rights groups said they were also not impressed by President Mugabe’s recent ‘begging trip’ to China.

They say the current state of the economy demands immediate remedial action and not acts of mortgaging the country to the Chinese. They urged SADC to use non-military solutions on the Lesotho coup so as not to set a dangerous precedent in the region.

‘If by December there is no solution, there is going to be likely worse problems that have implications for SADC,’ said Mfundo Mlilo, the coalition spokesperson. No comment could be attained from the Zimbabwe government.

Mavinga said overt factionalism and instability within the ruling Zanu PF party threatens national security, given the involvement of security forces in political issues regarding the succession to President Robert Mugabe.