What is happening in Zimbabwe is not a coup

Editor, RE: “Unconstitutional change of government is unacceptable” (The New Times, November 20). I do agree with Fred Nkusi that “unconstitutional change of power is unacceptable”. This is however valid if and only if the same power is constitutionally exercised. I do congratulate the citizens of Zimbabwe, proud as I know them, for standing up and refusing that a president, under the excuse that he has been elected considers the country as his own property. More often than not, we have seen elected officials including and most notably African presidents exercising power as if the country and all its assets, including “human assets”, were their belongings. People have the right to rebel directly or indirectly when a constitutional power is unconstitutionally exercised. It is very unfortunate that the African Union is always quick to condemn unconstitutional change of power and never or seldom condemns unconstitutional exercise of the same power. If power cannot be constitutionally exercised, then citizens have the right to change it unconstitutionally as well. The AU should denounce the unconstitutional exercise of power as they do for the unconstitutional change of the same power. Then I and innumerable others would not be refugees. Bela **************************** I have read this piece with a pinch of salt. The Article 4 is very clear, but I am not sure what ‘clarity’ Mr. Nkusi needs. The truth of the matter is that Africa as a continent has come of age and the few remaining despots have their time quickly running out. This was not a coup if you check the actual definition of a ‘coup d’état’. The military stepped in to restore sanity after Mugabe tried to re-arrange the political order for his family’s benefit. The military did not announce itself in charge, my friend. Armchair punditry. Davy ******************************* Robert Mugabe, 93, finally resigned as Zimbabwe’s president yesterday, preempting impeachment proceedings by Parliament – Editor

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What is happening in Zimbabwe is not a coup