BBc Radio 4: Book of the Week:
Two Weeks in November: The Astonishing Story of the Coup That Toppled Mugabe
This was a fascinating story. The writer, Douglas Rogers, by an amazing coincidence, happened to be back in Zimbabwe just at the right time to watch as Mugabe was finally toppled from power. Through persistent journalistic digging, and a certain amount of luck, he gets to the people to tell the story behind the coup that wasn't a coup
A thrilling, surreal, unbelievable and sometimes even funny true story of four would-be enemies who team up to help unseat one of Africa’s longest serving dictators, Robert Mugabe. It all begins with South African businessman, formerly from Zimbabwe, who is something of a mix between a facilitator and a fixer, and his two assassins, when he invites them for coffee and a chat.
What begins as an improbable adventure destined for failure, marked by a mixture of bravery, strategic cunning and bumbling naiveté, soon turns into the most sophisticated political-military operation in African history.
A high ranking politician, an exiled human rights lawyer, a dangerous spy and a low-key white businessman turned political fixer. By virtue of their being together, the unlikely team of misfit rivals is suddenly in position to spin what might have been seen as an illegal coup into a mass popular uprising that the world – and millions of Zimbabweans – will enthusiastically support.
A split in Mugabe’s party begins when it becomes clear that he is lining up his profligate spending younger wife to take over power once he retires.
The plot to topple Mugabe and replace him with the vice president - called the Northgate declaration - gathers pace, hammered out in the front of a 4x4 away from prying eyes.
Mugabe smells a rat and fires his vice president Mnangagwa, who attempts to flee the country across the Mozambique border. But will he make it? This part was one of the most suspenseful episodes of the story, as corrupt and armed police (Mugabe’s bully boys) patrol the border crossings, and by subterfuge and good luck, he and his team make it out.
On 14 November 2017, Operation Restore Legacy in Zimbabwe is launched ruthlessly by the defence forces - not against a foreign power but against their own citizens. A co-ordinated and peaceful mass protest signals the end of Mugabe’s power, and one by one his key henchmen join their leader in his fortified house, or are taken into custody.
The strangest thing is that because of international relations, and the need to make a fresh start, the coup is described explicitly as not being a coup.
The plan to topple Robert Mugabe finally reaches its endgame. But will he go easily? Mugabe is removed as Leader of his party but in a televised speech makes no attempt to resign as President. Just as plans are being laid to impeach him, a letter arrives from Mugabe resigning.
His regime is over, but the aftermath sees not quite the same ferocity, but some signs are that there are instances of brutality as a means of State control over its citizens. Will this be an opportunity lost, or a chance for a real new beginning?
Two Weeks in November: The Astonishing Story of the Coup That Toppled Mugabe
This was a fascinating story. The writer, Douglas Rogers, by an amazing coincidence, happened to be back in Zimbabwe just at the right time to watch as Mugabe was finally toppled from power. Through persistent journalistic digging, and a certain amount of luck, he gets to the people to tell the story behind the coup that wasn't a coup
A thrilling, surreal, unbelievable and sometimes even funny true story of four would-be enemies who team up to help unseat one of Africa’s longest serving dictators, Robert Mugabe. It all begins with South African businessman, formerly from Zimbabwe, who is something of a mix between a facilitator and a fixer, and his two assassins, when he invites them for coffee and a chat.
What begins as an improbable adventure destined for failure, marked by a mixture of bravery, strategic cunning and bumbling naiveté, soon turns into the most sophisticated political-military operation in African history.
A high ranking politician, an exiled human rights lawyer, a dangerous spy and a low-key white businessman turned political fixer. By virtue of their being together, the unlikely team of misfit rivals is suddenly in position to spin what might have been seen as an illegal coup into a mass popular uprising that the world – and millions of Zimbabweans – will enthusiastically support.
A split in Mugabe’s party begins when it becomes clear that he is lining up his profligate spending younger wife to take over power once he retires.
The plot to topple Mugabe and replace him with the vice president - called the Northgate declaration - gathers pace, hammered out in the front of a 4x4 away from prying eyes.
Mugabe smells a rat and fires his vice president Mnangagwa, who attempts to flee the country across the Mozambique border. But will he make it? This part was one of the most suspenseful episodes of the story, as corrupt and armed police (Mugabe’s bully boys) patrol the border crossings, and by subterfuge and good luck, he and his team make it out.
On 14 November 2017, Operation Restore Legacy in Zimbabwe is launched ruthlessly by the defence forces - not against a foreign power but against their own citizens. A co-ordinated and peaceful mass protest signals the end of Mugabe’s power, and one by one his key henchmen join their leader in his fortified house, or are taken into custody.
The strangest thing is that because of international relations, and the need to make a fresh start, the coup is described explicitly as not being a coup.
The plan to topple Robert Mugabe finally reaches its endgame. But will he go easily? Mugabe is removed as Leader of his party but in a televised speech makes no attempt to resign as President. Just as plans are being laid to impeach him, a letter arrives from Mugabe resigning.
His regime is over, but the aftermath sees not quite the same ferocity, but some signs are that there are instances of brutality as a means of State control over its citizens. Will this be an opportunity lost, or a chance for a real new beginning?
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