Government officials on Wednesday sought to calm the public after two columns of army vehicles were spotted on the streets of Harare, sparking fears of a potential military coup.
Videos of the military vehicles quickly went viral, reigniting memories of the events of November 2017, when a similar display of military power led to the ousting of former President Robert Mugabe. This prompted widespread speculation about the possibility of a coup.
However, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ndavaningi “Nick” Mangwana, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and government spokesperson, assured the public that the movement of the military vehicles was part of pre-scheduled military drills. He said:
<blockquote>
There is a scheduled exercise to test equipment which is taking place today. Nothing to be concerned about.
</blockquote>
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman, George Charamba, reassured the public on Wednesday that the movement of military vehicles through Harare was part of routine exercises, aimed at ensuring the Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ readiness.
Charamba said that the military was “going through the routine of ensuring all their battle systems are in tip-top state, keeping you secure and defended.”
The sight of twenty-one military vehicles, primarily multi-purpose armoured cars and tanks, on Borrowdale Road in one of Harare’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, startled motorists, who quickly posted videos online.
The convoy, which included a mix of military gear, was seen passing through the area, sparking a wave of speculation and concern.
According to <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/army-vehicles-on-harare-roads-dismissed-as-routine-drill-by-government-spokesman/">ZimLive</a>, the military vehicles were moving from the 2 Infantry Brigade (formerly Cranborne Barracks) and were headed toward Alfida Barracks in Domboshava, home to the 2 Field Regiment.
The movement of such military assets in a civilian area drew comparisons to the 2017 military intervention that led to Mugabe’s ouster.
For many, the sight of these vehicles evoked memories of that unprecedented event, where the military played a pivotal role in a coup that changed the course of Zimbabwe’s leadership.
Once an unthinkable scenario, the notion of a military coup is now a topic openly discussed in Zimbabwe.

Pindula News

Government officials in Zimbabwe say that the army vehicles seen on the roads in Harare are just part of a routine exercise to test equipment and ensure the military is ready. This comes after people were worried that it might be a military coup like in 2017 when President Robert Mugabe was removed from power. President Mnangagwa's spokesman reassured the public that the military vehicles were not a threat. The convoy of military vehicles was moving between barracks for training exercises, and although it startled people, there is no need to worry about a coup happening.

Government Officials Say Army Vehicles On Harare Roads Part Of "Routine Drill"

Niger’s military junta on Sunday said it will prosecute deposed President Mohamed Bazoum for treason.
The announcement came hours after a group of senior Islamic scholars said the country’s coup leaders were open to diplomacy to resolve their standoff with West Africa’s regional bloc, ECOWAS.
In a statement read out on national television, a spokesman for Niger’s military laid out the charges against Bazoum as “high treason and undermining the internal and external security” of the country.
The United Nations and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the announcement, reported Al Jazeera.
Niger’s military deposed Bazoum (63), on 26 July and has held him together with his family at the president’s official residence in Niamey since the coup.
ECOWAS has called for Bazoum’s reinstatement, imposing severe economic sanctions on Niger and threatening military intervention if civilian rule is not restored.
The sanctions include cutting off financial transactions and electricity supplies as well as closing borders with landlocked Niger.
On Monday, ECOWAS enounced threats by Niger’s military rulers to prosecute Bazoum.
ECOWAS has approved the deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger, has reiterated that it remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
The prospect of a military intervention to reinstate Bazoum has divided ECOWAS members.
Niger’s neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, also ruled by military governments which seized power in coups, have warned against military intervention.
The two countries have said intervention would be tantamount to a declaration of war on them.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Niger's Military Junta To Prosecute Deposed President For "Treason"

On Thursday, the Sudanese Minister of Defence announced that President Omar Al-Bashir has stepped down. This follows more than a month of protests in the Capital Khartoum and across the country.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese Defence Minister has further announced:
<blockquote>The supreme committee decided to implement what was not in the mind of other people and for a transitional period of two years the armed forces will take power with the representation of the people to pave the way for the people.</blockquote>
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VwJkTWk3msE?feature=oembed" title="A sneaky peek into Sudan's Protests and or Coup" width="640"></iframe></div>

WATCH: Sudan's Protests, Military Coup In Khartoum

Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir has stepped down and has been put under house arrest by the country’s military, according to reports.
His personal guard has been replaced and is under close watch.
Bashir had ruled Sudan for three decades. His resignation follows more than a month of protests in the capital Khartoum and across the central African country.
Reports indicate that the country’s military has forced Bashir to step down, and a Military Council is set to run the country’s affairs in the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, thousands of people have flooded Khartoum’s streets celebrating the end to Bashir’s 30-year reign. Sudan’s Minister of Defence has announced that soldiers will be in charge of the country during a 2-year Transitional Period. He is quoted as saying:
<blockquote>The supreme committee decided to implement what was not in the mind of other people and for a transitional period of two years the armed forces will take power with the representation of the people to pave the way for the people.</blockquote>
According to CNN News, Bashir came to power in 1989 through a military coup against then Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. He dissolved the government, political parties and trade unions, and declared himself chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council.
In 1990, Bashir survived a coup attempt and later ordered the execution of more than 30 army and police officers implicated in the failed takeover.
<h3>More: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-47849618" rel="noopener" target="_blank">BBC News</a>, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/africa/live-news/sudan-latest-updates/index.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">CNN News</a></h3>

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