Miles de zimbabuenses salen a la calle para pedir que Mugabe se vaya (fotos)

Miles de zimbabuenses salen a la calle para pedir que Mugabe se vaya (fotos)

A man gestures towards a banner during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe's president on November 18, 2017 in Harare. Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / -
/ AFP PHOTO / –

 

 

Miles de zimbabuenses salieron el sábado a la calle en Harare para pedir la renuncia del presidente Robert Mugabe, abandonado poco a poco por sus más fieles aliados, en una movilización apoyada por el ejército, que esta semana tomó el control del país.





La protesta anti-Mugabe cierra una semana de crisis política sin precedentes en Zimbabue, donde las Fuerzas Armadas pusieron bajo arresto domiciliario al jefe de Estado, de 93 años, en el poder desde 1980.

La intervención del ejército representa un giro en el largo reinado de Mugabe, marcado por la represión de cualquier oposición y una grave crisis económica.

“Demasiado es demasiado, Mugabe tiene que irse” y “Descansa en paz Mugabe” se podía leer en las pancartas que enarbolaron los manifestantes, una parte de los cuales se dirigió hacia el palacio presidencial, en el centro de la capital.

Allí, militares fuertemente armados les bloquearon el paso provocando su incomprensión.

“No es justo. ¿Por qué los soldados nos impiden ir al palacio presidencial?”, se indignaba Rutendo Maisiri, una desempleada de 26 años. Finalmente, la multitud se dispersó en calma.

Tras la masiva protesta, la televisión estatal anunció que Mugabe se reunirá el domingo con los jefes del ejército en un intento de poner fin a la crisis.

Por su parte, fuentes del partido gubernamental ZANU-PF informaron a la AFP que mantendrán una reunión ese mismo día para discutir del cese de Mugabe como presidente el país y líder del partido.

El decano de los jefes de Estado en activo está cada vez más aislado, después de que sus más fieles aliados lo hayan ido abandonando: después del ejército y de los veteranos de la guerra de la independencia, fueron las secciones regionales del ZANU-PF las que pidieron el viernes que dimitiera.

La protesta del sábado fue organizada por los veteranos de guerra —ineludibles actores de la vida política del país— y movimientos de la sociedad civil, entre ellos el grupo ThisFlag del pastor Ewan Mawarire, una de las figuras clave del movimiento anti-Mugabe reprimido en 2016 por las fuerzas de seguridad.

Stephanus Krynauw, un granjero blanco expulsado durante la polémica reforma agraria impulsada por Mugabe en 2000, también salió a la calle. “Hace mucho tiempo que algo así no sucedía, estar juntos”, la mayoría negra y la minoría blanca, descendiente de los colonos británicos, celebraba.

– ‘Se acabó la partida’ –

En la madrugada del miércoles, el ejército intervino –sin derramar sangre– en Harare en apoyo a Emmerson Mnangagwa, el vicepresidente destituido por Mugabe una semana antes.

El ejército puso en arresto domiciliario al presidente, aunque estaba autorizado a hacer algunos desplazamientos.

El viernes hizo su primera aparición pública desde el golpe de Estado, en una ceremonia de entrega de diplomas universitarios en la capital. No hizo ningún discurso y a ratos cabeceaba, como suele hacerlo en público, sentado en un inmenso sillón de madera y cuero.

Al autorizarlo a salir de la residencia presidencial, el ejército quiso demostrar que lo trataba “con dignidad y respeto”, antes de encontrar una solución a la crisis política, explicó a la AFP Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, profesor de ciencias política en la universidad de Witwatersrand, en Johannesburgo.

Por el momento, las discusiones no avanzan y el presidente se aferra al poder.

Preguntado el sábado sobre el avance de las discusiones, un portavoz de los militares, el general Sibusiyo Moyo, se limitó a declarar a los periodistas: “El pueblo de Zimbabue es disciplinado y unido (…) Hemos visto una respuesta nacional”.

En el punto de mira de las Fuerzas Armadas está el grupo llamado G40, una facción del Zanu-PF que brinda apoyo a la primera dama, Grace Mugabe, y sus ambiciones presidenciales.

Fue ella quien hizo caer a Emmerson Mnangagwa, de 75 años, un candidato demasiado peligroso en la carrera para suceder al presidente, tras llevar a cabo una campaña de denigración contra su adversario.

“Se acabó la partida”, dijo el viernes el influyente jefe de los veteranos de guerra, Christopher Mutsvangwa, dirigiéndose a Mugabe.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, que huyó del país poco después de su destitución, regresó a Zimbabue el jueves. Todavía no ha aparecido en público pero su nombre es uno de los que circula para dirigir una posible transición política.

AFP

People shout slogans and wave Zimbabwean national flags during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe's president on November 18, 2017 in Harare. Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / Jekesai NJIKIZANA
People shout slogans and wave Zimbabwean national flags during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe’s president on November 18, 2017 in Harare.
Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / Jekesai NJIKIZANA
People carry placards during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe's president on November 18, 2017 in Harare. Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / Jekesai NJIKIZANA
People carry placards during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe’s president on November 18, 2017 in Harare.
Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / Jekesai NJIKIZANA
People cheer a passing Zimbabwe Defense Force military vehicle during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe's president on November 18, 2017 in Harare. Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / Jekesai NJIKIZANA
People cheer a passing Zimbabwe Defense Force military vehicle during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe’s president on November 18, 2017 in Harare.
Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / Jekesai NJIKIZANA
People march past an armoured personnel carrier towards the State House during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe's president on November 18, 2017 in Harare. Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / -
People march past an armoured personnel carrier towards the State House during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe’s president on November 18, 2017 in Harare.
Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / –
People march past an armoured personnel carrier towards the State House during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe's president on November 18, 2017 in Harare. Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / -
People march past an armoured personnel carrier towards the State House during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe’s president on November 18, 2017 in Harare.
Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / –
People march towards the State House during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe's president on November 18, 2017 in Harare. Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / -
People march towards the State House during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Zimbabwe’s president on November 18, 2017 in Harare.
Zimbabwe was set for more political turmoil November 18 with protests planned as veterans of the independence war, activists and ruling party leaders called publicly for President Robert Mugabe to be forced from office. / AFP PHOTO / –
Protesters hold posters showing support for ousted Zimbabwean vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Protesters hold posters showing support for ousted Zimbabwean vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Protesters calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down take to the streets in Harare, Zimbabwe, November 18, 2017. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo