Thousands of Zimbabweans have taken to the streets to demand President Robert Mugabe’s resignation, a spectacle that would have been unthinkable just one week ago.
Saturday’s rally in Harare, the capital, is backed by the army, which seized power on Wednesday.
In 1980, around 200,000 people gathered at Zimbabwe Grounds to welcome Mugabe from exile after the liberation war from white-minority rule.
Crowds there on Saturday cheered, “Chiwenga, lead the war to remove Mugabe”, referring to General Constantino Chiwenga, who had warned of military intervention before the takeover.
Protesters are attempting to reach State House, but presidential guards have blocked access.
According to media reports, Zimbabwe has been in turmoil since early Wednesday, when the armed forces seized power and placed Mugabe – who leads the Zanu-PF party, under house arrest.
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