2017 Zimbabwean coup d'état

== Reactions ==
{{over-quotation|section|date=November 2017}}

=== Domestic ===
[[Nelson Chamisa]], the deputy leader of the [[Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai]], the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, called for "peace, constitutionalism, democratization, the rule of law and the sanctity of human life".<ref name=":4" /> [[Tendai Biti]], the leader of another opposition party, called for a "roadmap back to legitimacy" through a [[transitional government]] and dialogue with regional organisations.<ref name=":10" /> [[Evan Mawarire]], a pastor and civic activist who had been arrested during the [[2016–17 Zimbabwe protests|2016–17 protests]], asked citizens to "remain calm and hopeful, alert but prayerful" and that the crisis was "the culmination" of citizen activist work.<ref name=":10" /> [[Christopher Mutsvangwa]], leader of the [[Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association]] and an ally of Mnangagwa, praised Army General Constantino Chiwenga for "a bloodless correction of gross abuse of power" and hoped that the army would restore a "genuine democracy" to Zimbabwe.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/the-latest-zimbabwe-party-accuses-army-leader-of-treason|title=The Latest: Zimbabwe's war vets praise army's actions|date=15 November 2017|work=[[National Post]]|access-date=15 November 2017|agency=[[Associated Press]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/364d8aaefe1c49c8b2a6dcdc35a45efd/Zimbabwe-war-vets-praise-army-for-'bloodless-correction|title=Zimbabwe war vets praise army for 'bloodless correction'|date=15 November 2017|work=Associated Press News|access-date=15 November 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=8 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908213159/https://apnews.com/364d8aaefe1c49c8b2a6dcdc35a45efd/Zimbabwe-war-vets-praise-army-for-'bloodless-correction|url-status=live}}</ref> Former vice-president [[Joice Mujuru]] called for a transitional government focusing on economic recovery and electoral reform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.coastweek.com/4046-Former-Zimbabwe-VP-Mujuru-calls-for-transitional-arrangement.htm|title=Former Zimbabwe VP Mujuru calls for 'transitional arrangement'|date=17 November 2017|website=Coastweek|access-date=17 November 2017|archive-date=17 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117122822/http://www.coastweek.com/4046-Former-Zimbabwe-VP-Mujuru-calls-for-transitional-arrangement.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== International ===
==== Africa ====
[[Jacob Zuma]], the [[President of South Africa]], phoned Mugabe and confirmed his house arrest. Zuma also asked for calm and a transition that was in accordance with the [[Constitution of Zimbabwe]]. He also sent a ministerial-level envoy to talk with the leaders of the Zimbabwe military.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10" /> [[Julius Malema]], the leader of the [[Economic Freedom Fighters]] party and previously a Mugabe supporter, voiced support for the army's initiative. He [[Twitter|tweeted]]: "Someone had to do something, the army should make sure that there is no loss of life however anyone seeking to undermine this transition should be dealt with decisively. Finally free and stable Zimbabwe is coming in our life time."<ref name="oppo">{{Cite news|url=https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/1728779/what-malema-and-other-sa-politicians-are-saying-about-zimbabwe/|title=What Malema and other SA politicians are saying about Zimbabwe|last=Nemakonde|first=Vhahangwele|date=15 November 2017|work=[[The Citizen (South Africa)|The Citizen]]|access-date=16 November 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115181853/https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/1728779/what-malema-and-other-sa-politicians-are-saying-about-zimbabwe/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mmusi Maimane]], the leader of the [[Democratic Alliance (South Africa)|Democratic Alliance]] party simply stated that Mugabe must step down and called him a dictator. He also called for the democratic process to be upheld.<ref name="oppo" /> [[Nedbank]], a major South African bank, sent home several of its South African employees working for its Zimbabwean subsidiary, [[MBCA Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsofbiz.com/companies-from-amplats-to-stanchart-on-alert-amid-zimbabwe-coup/202694|title=Companies From Amplats to StanChart on Alert Amid Zimbabwe Coup|publisher=gearsofbiz.com|access-date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116135436/http://gearsofbiz.com/companies-from-amplats-to-stanchart-on-alert-amid-zimbabwe-coup/202694|archive-date=16 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah]], the [[Foreign Minister of Namibia]], said that the incident "creates uncertainty that is not conducive to peace, stability, and consolidation of democracy in Zimbabwe and the region as a whole" and said that Namibia expected that democratic institutions in Zimbabwe would continue to function under its constitution. Nandi-Ndaitwah also said that the Namibian government expected Zimbabwe to abide by the [[Southern African Development Community]]'s Treaty on Governance and the African Union Constitutive Act. On 16 November, Namibia denied reports that Grace Mugabe was in the country.<ref name="auto" />

[[Alpha Condé]], the [[President of Guinea]] and the leader of the [[African Union]], rebuked the actions of the military and demanded the immediate restoration of the rule of law under the Zimbabwean Constitution.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/african-union-chief-alpha-conde-says-body-will-never-accept-zimbabwe-coup-demands-respect-for-constitution-4214087.html|title=African Union chief Alpha Conde says body will never accept Zimbabwe 'coup', demands respect for Constitution|date=17 November 2017|work=Firstpost|access-date=23 November 2017|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|language=en-US|archive-date=20 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120044245/http://www.firstpost.com/world/african-union-chief-alpha-conde-says-body-will-never-accept-zimbabwe-coup-demands-respect-for-constitution-4214087.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Edgar Lungu]], the [[President of Zambia]], condemned the events, saying that they were "not in tune with modern politics".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/11/16/illegal-takeover-power-zimbabwe-not-tune-modern-politics-president-lungu/|publisher=LusakaTimes|title=The illegal takeover of power in Zimbabwe is not in tune with modern politics – President Lungu|date=16 November 2017|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-date=20 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720205350/https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/11/16/illegal-takeover-power-zimbabwe-not-tune-modern-politics-president-lungu/|url-status=live}}</ref> While Abdelaziz Benali Cherif, the Foreign Minister of Algeria, called for respect for Zimbabwe's constitutional order.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-11/17/c_136758647.htm |title=Algeria calls for respect for constitution in Zimbabwe |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=17 November 2017 |access-date=18 November 2017 |archive-date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117065447/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-11/17/c_136758647.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Fatoumata Tambajang]], [[Vice-President of the Gambia]], called for dialogue between the military and political leadership to solve the crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jollofnews.com/2017/11/16/gambias-vp-urges-dialogue-to-solve-zimbabwe-crisis/|title=Gambia's VP Urges Dialogue To Solve Zimbabwe Crisis|date=16 November 2017|access-date=16 November 2017|archive-date=17 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117065523/https://jollofnews.com/2017/11/16/gambias-vp-urges-dialogue-to-solve-zimbabwe-crisis/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Southern African Development Community]] (SADC) held an urgent meeting at the SADC headquarters in [[Gaborone]] on 16 November. The meeting was called by Zuma and was expected to be attended by the leaders of Angola, Tanzania, and Zambia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?id=49889|title=SADC Organ Troika meets over tensions in Zimbabwe|date=16 November 2017|work=Defence Web|access-date=16 November 2017|agency=SA News|archive-date=17 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117070044/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?id=49889|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 22 November, [[Kenya]]'s former prime minister [[Raila Odinga]], a key mediator of the [[2008–09 Zimbabwean political negotiations]], hailed Zimbabwe for "peacefully overthrowing tyranny and dictatorship".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001260934/raila-odinga-hails-zimbabwe-s-bloodless-coup|title=Raila Odinga hails Zimbabwe's bloodless 'coup'|first=Mercy|last=Asamba|website=Standardmedia.co.ke|access-date=22 November 2017|archive-date=22 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122095600/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001260934/raila-odinga-hails-zimbabwe-s-bloodless-coup|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[African Union]] issued a statement in which it refrained from describing the military intervention as a 'coup', but instead said Mugabe's ouster was a legitimate expression of the will of the Zimbabwean people.<ref name=RTE2017-11-22a>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2017/1122/921922-zimbabwe-mugabe-mnangagwa/|title=Zimbabwe's Mnangagwa to be sworn in as president on Friday|date=22 November 2017|access-date=22 November 2017|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]]|quote=Despite the Zimbabwe army's intervention, the AU did not characterise Mr Mugabe's ousting as a coup, but rather a legitimate expression of the will of Zimbabweans. "The African Union recognises that the Zimbabwean people have expressed their will that there should be a peaceful transfer of power in a manner that secures the democratic future of their country," it said.|archive-date=22 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122101004/https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2017/1122/921922-zimbabwe-mugabe-mnangagwa/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Beyond Africa ====
Foreign embassies, including the American, Canadian, British, and Dutch embassies in Harare, issued warnings to citizens of their countries to stay indoors because of the military activity in the city.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /> A German spokesperson for the [[Federal Foreign Office]] told a press conference in Berlin that "We see developments there with concern ... The situation there is confusing and unclear."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/main/zimbabwe-crisis-eu-germany-south-africa-others-react/|title=Zimbabwe Crisis: EU, Germany, South Africa, others react|date=15 November 2017|work=The Zimbabwe Mail|access-date=16 November 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115175111/http://www.thezimbabwemail.com/main/zimbabwe-crisis-eu-germany-south-africa-others-react/|url-status=live}}</ref> British foreign secretary [[Boris Johnson]] called "for everybody to refrain from violence" and stated that "everybody wants to see a stable and successful Zimbabwe".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/britain-urges-no-violence-in-zimbabwe-20171115 |title=Britain urges no violence in Zimbabwe |date=15 November 2017 |website=News24 |access-date=16 November 2017 |archive-date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117002933/https://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/britain-urges-no-violence-in-zimbabwe-20171115 |url-status=live }}</ref>

While Australian prime minister [[Malcolm Turnbull]] characterised the Mugabe regime as a dictatorship, the [[Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)|Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade]] upgraded its travel advice, warning Australians to reconsider travelling to the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/11/17/mugabe-brutal-dictator-turnbull|title=Mugabe a brutal dictator: Turnbull|website=Sbs.com.au|access-date=22 November 2017|archive-date=22 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122003747/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/11/17/mugabe-brutal-dictator-turnbull|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|Chinese Foreign Ministry]] claimed that a meeting which occurred on 10 November between General Chiwenga and Chinese defence minister [[Chang Wanquan]] was innocuous and that China hoped that "the relevant parties in Zimbabwe [would] appropriately handle their internal matters".<ref name="reuters.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-politics-china/china-says-zimbabwe-military-chiefs-visit-was-normal-visit-idUSKBN1DF0UB|title=Zimbabwe military chief's China trip was normal visit, Beijing says|date=15 November 2017|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=15 November 2017|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115141654/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zimbabwe-politics-china/china-says-zimbabwe-military-chiefs-visit-was-normal-visit-idUSKBN1DF0UB|url-status=live}}</ref>

Venezuelan foreign minister [[Jorge Arreaza]] called for the "immediate restoration of the democratic institution and the respect for the Constitution".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/2017/11/15/venezuela-slams-Zimbabwe-coup-calls-for-respect-of-democracy|title=Venezuela Slams Zimbabwe Coup, Calls for 'Respect' of Democracy|access-date=16 November 2017|archive-date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116080646/https://www.bloombergquint.com/onweb/2017/11/15/venezuela-slams-zimbabwe-coup-calls-for-respect-of-democracy|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[António Guterres]], the [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]], through his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, encouraged peace and resolution through negotiation within the workings of Zimbabwean Constitution. The UN also acknowledged the efforts of the SADC in resolving the crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/United-Nations-African-Union-reacts/1066-4188994-ssay0/index.html|title=Zimbabwe crisis: United Nations, African Union react|last=Njikizana|first=Jekesai|work=[[Daily Nation]]|access-date=16 November 2017|archive-date=16 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116080946/http://www.nation.co.ke/news/africa/United-Nations-African-Union-reacts/1066-4188994-ssay0/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> European Commission spokesperson Catherine Ray stated that the situation "is a matter of concern for the EU" and called for "peaceful resolution".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/zimbabwe-crisis-eu-urges-peaceful-resolution-20171115 |title=Zimbabwe crisis: EU urges 'peaceful' resolution |date=15 November 2017 |website=News24 |access-date=16 November 2017 |archive-date=17 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117001537/https://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/zimbabwe-crisis-eu-urges-peaceful-resolution-20171115 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Deputy Russian prime minister [[Yury Trutnev]], on a visit to Southern Africa, directly blamed President Robert Mugabe for getting himself into trouble by failing to address the [[Socioeconomics|socioeconomic]] issues of the country which had left Zimbabweans impoverished and angry.<ref>{{Cite news|last=IndraStra Global News Team|date=18 November 2017|title=Zimbabwe: The End of Mugabe's Era|url=http://www.indrastra.com/2017/11/Zimbabwe-End-of-Mugabe-s-Era-003-11-2017-0014.html|work=IndraStra Global|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044654/http://www.indrastra.com/2017/11/Zimbabwe-End-of-Mugabe-s-Era-003-11-2017-0014.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[United States Secretary of State]] [[Rex Tillerson]] called Mugabe's resignation a "historic moment" for the country. He further congratulated Zimbabweans for peacefully bringing about a change which "was overdue" and emphasised that the United States would support Zimbabwe in transitioning to a stable, democratic government and economy.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Beavers|first1=Olivia|title=Tillerson: Mugabe resignation 'a historic moment' for Zimbabwe|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/361442-tillerson-mugabe-resignation-a-historic-moment-for-zimbabwe/|access-date=24 November 2017|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=21 November 2017|archive-date=25 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125071329/http://thehill.com/policy/international/361442-tillerson-mugabe-resignation-a-historic-moment-for-zimbabwe|url-status=live}}</ref>

British prime minister [[Theresa May]] welcomed Mugabe's resignation stating that it "provides Zimbabwe with an opportunity to forge a new path free of the oppression that characterised his rule".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/zimbabwe-politics-britain-may/british-pm-may-says-mugabes-resignation-gives-zimbabwe-a-chance-to-be-free-idUSL9N1ML01E|title=British PM May says Mugabe's resignation gives Zimbabwe a chance to be free|work=Reuters.com|date=21 November 2017|access-date=24 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080905/https://www.reuters.com/article/zimbabwe-politics-britain-may/british-pm-may-says-mugabes-resignation-gives-zimbabwe-a-chance-to-be-free-idUSL9N1ML01E|url-status=live}}</ref>