Robert Mugabe Makes First Public Appearance After Military Takeover

Zimbabwe President, Robert Mugabe makes his first public appearance since the military took control of the country earlier this week by showing up at a university graduation ceremony on Friday in the Zimbabwe capital, Harare.

Mugabe, 93, who arrived at the ceremony, dressed in a blue academic gown and tasselled hat.

Mugabe and the army chiefs held talks on Friday as the takeover appeared to signal his imminent exit from office after 37 years in power since Zimbabwe won independence from Britain in 1980.

The president has refused to step down, amid mounting pressure from the army to allow a smooth and bloodless transition.

Mnangagwa, who is a leading candidate to succeed Mugabe, flew back to Harare on Thursday after fleeing the country when he was sacked last week.

The military seeks to reinstate former Vice President Emerson Mnangagwa as first vice president and then as leader of a transitional administration.