Zimbabwe’s military said on 15 November, it had seized power in a targeted assault on “criminals” around President Robert Mugabe who were causing social and economic suffering.

In an extraordinary statement after long hours of unrest, Zimbabwe’s army early Wednesday, 15 November, sought to reassure the country that “this is not a military takeover” and that President Robert Mugabe was safe and sound. The military said instead it was targeting “criminals around” the president who have sent the nation spinning into economic despair.

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