Global NewsU.S. Call For ‘New Era’ In Zimbabwe As Mugabe 'Agrees' To Step...

U.S. Call For ‘New Era’ In Zimbabwe As Mugabe ‘Agrees’ To Step Down

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BEVERLY HILLS, November 17, (THEWILL) – The U.S. is seeking a new era for Zimbabwe as the State Department’s top official for Africa implicitly called on long-time President Robert Mugabe to step aside as a political crisis mounts.

In an interview with Reuters, acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Donald Yamamoto appeared to dismiss the idea of Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years, remaining in a transitional or ceremonial role.

“It’s a transition to a new era for Zimbabwe, that’s really what we’re hoping for,” Yamamoto said.

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THEWILL recalls that Zimbabwe’s army seized power on Wednesday, in an apparent effort to prevent Mugabe, 93, from handing power to his wife.

He has not resigned or been formally deposed, however, and he was pictured on Thursday shaking hands with the military chief, Constantino Chiwenga.

Yamamoto, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with African Union officials at the State Department in Washington, described the situation in Zimbabwe as “very fluid.”

He said the U.S. would discuss lifting multiple U.S. sanctions on Zimbabwe if it began enacting political and economic reforms.

In a message for Zimbabwe’s political leaders, he said: “Our position has always been that if they engage in the constitutional reforms, economic and political reforms, and move forward to protecting political space and the human rights, then we can start the dialogue on lifting sanctions.”

The U.S. has not given aid to Zimbabwe’s government for many years, but provides development aid to non-governmental groups, particularly for healthcare.

“Now whether we give to the government, that depends on what happens in Zimbabwe.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to meet on Friday in Washington with 37 African foreign ministers.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Mugabe, last night, agreed to step down and then proceed on exile to South Africa.

According to a twitter handle claiming to be speaking on behalf of the provisional government of Zimbabwe, a new government is to be formed within 48 hours.

Fresh elections will be held in the spring of 2018 once order and peace have been established and the likely presidential election date is April 18, 2018, Zimbabwe’s independence day.

“The structure of government will remain the same under the provisional government of Zimbabwe. However, the introduction of new posts, such as ‘Prime Minister’ are being negotiated.

“The new, provisional government of Zimbabwe will be formed within the next 48 hours. It is likely that Vice Presidential posts will remain vacant.

“Comrade R.G Mugabe is not going to be prosecuted for his actions and crimes throughout his tenure as Prime Minister (1980–1987) and President of the republic (1987–2017). He has accepted H.E Jacob Zuma’s offer and will depart to South Africa after the resignation.

“Mugabe is currently negotiating with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. The provisional government will soon address the nation to update you all with the current situation.”

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