FOREIGN

Zimbabwe has ‘insatiable desire’ for Mugabe exit: ousted VP

Published

7 years ago

November 21, 2017

FAB.NG

Zimbabwe’s parliament prepared to start impeachment proceedings against President Robert Mugabe Tuesday, as ousted vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who could be the country’s next leader, told him to step down.

Further street protests have been called in Harare, raising fears that the political turmoil could spill into violence.

Mnangagwa, seen as the preferred candidate of the military chiefs who took power last week, said he would only return to Zimbabwe when he his safety was guaranteed and he would not face arrest.

Mnangagwa’s intervention — his first since the army seized control — comes as lawmakers of Mugabe’s once loyal ZANU-PF party were to meet in parliament at 1215 GMT to trigger proceedings that could see the president stripped of office.

A bubbling factional squabble over the presidential succession erupted two weeks ago when Mugabe fired Mnangagwa.

The dismissal put Mugabe’s wife Grace in prime position to succeed her 93-year-old husband, prompting the military to step in to block her path to the presidency.

After Mnangagwa fled abroad, the army took over the country and placed Mugabe under house arrest — provoking amazement and delight among many Zimbabweans as his autocratic 37-year reign appeared close to an end.

‘Clarion call’
Mnangagwa — formerly one of Mugabe’s closest allies and a regime hardliner — said in his statement that Zimbabweans had “clearly demonstrated without violence their insatiable desire” for Mugabe to resign.

“It is my appeal to President Mugabe that he should take heed of this clarion call,” he said.

On Saturday, Zimbabweans attended huge, peaceful anti-Mugabe marches that would have been brutally repressed just weeks ago.

The influential war veterans’ association called for immediate protests outside Mugabe’s private residence — upping the risk of civil unrest.

“We are calling on the people of Zimbabwe to settle their scores with President Mugabe so that he leaves office immediately,” war veterans’ leader Chris Mutsvangwa — another former Mugabe loyalist — told AFP.

“We are on the hour of victory. All the people must leave what they are doing and proceed to Blue Roof (Mugabe’s residence). We want to see the back of him immediately.”

On Monday evening, army chief Constantino Chiwenga told reporters that progress had been made in talks towards an apparent exit deal for the world’s oldest head of state.

Chiwenga called for patience and calm after elated Zimbabweans were stunned to see the president declaring in a TV address on Sunday that he was still in power.

Mugabe is feted in parts of Africa as the continent’s last surviving independence leader.

He was a key figure in the war for independence and took office as prime minister in 1980, riding a wave of goodwill.

His reputation was swiftly tarnished, however, by his authoritarian instincts, rights abuses and economic policies.

Most Zimbabweans have known life only under his rule, which has been defined by violent suppression, economic collapse and international isolation.

Despite his fragile health, Mugabe had previously said he would stand in elections next year that could have kept him in power until he was nearly 100 years old.

Mugabe’s wife Grace, 52, has not been seen since the takeover.

‘We have the numbers’
ZANU-PF lawmakers vowed to remove Mugabe after he missed their weekend deadline to resign.

“We have the numbers, the opposition is also going to support us,” Vongai Mupereri, a party MP, said.

“We are going to impeach — the man has to go,” said another ZANU-PF lawmaker, MacKenzie Ncube.

Chris Vandome, an analyst at Chatham House, a London-based think-tank, warned of the rising risk of public unrest.

“They will start impeaching him, that is certainly the will of the military, but it’s increasingly now the will of the people,” Vandome told AFP.

“The longer this goes on for, the more the likelihood of violence increases.”

Legal experts say impeachment could take weeks and be subject to court appeals.

Mugabe is thought to be battling to delay his exit in order to secure a deal that would guarantee protection for him and his family.

The army insists it has not carried out a coup, but rather an operation to arrest allegedly corrupt supporters around the Mugabe family.

“It might take days and weeks, but Mugabe is on his way out,” said Charles Muramba, a 46-year-old bus driver in Harare.

Related Topics:Emmerson Mnangagwa Robert Mugabe Zimbabwe

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FOREIGN

Beyoncé Achieves Historic Milestone As Most Certified Female Artist

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Reporter

Beyoncé is most RIAA certified female artist of all time | fab.ng

Renowned singer Beyoncé has solidified her position as the most certified female artist of all time, a distinction bestowed upon her by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Her recent surge in song certifications has propelled her to an impressive total of 103 RIAA-certified titles, surpassing all other female artists in this category.

The RIAA celebrated this monumental achievement in a post on X on Tuesday.

“Crowning achievement! Congratulations to @Beyonce, who now holds the record for the most certified titles for a female artist in RIAA history, including her first two Diamond singles! @parkwood @columbiarecords,” RIAA announced in a post on X on Tuesday.

👑 Crowning achievement! Congratulations to @Beyonce, who now holds the record for the most certified titles for a female artist in RIAA history, including her first two Diamond singles! 💎🐝✨ @parkwood @columbiarecords pic.twitter.com/L86gwGkzQN

— RIAA (@RIAA) December 17, 2024

Among her numerous accolades are Diamond certifications for two iconic singles: “Halo” and “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” These certifications signify extraordinary sales and streaming figures.

Additionally, Beyoncé boasts a string of impressive certifications for her albums. “Renaissance” has achieved 2x Platinum status, “Lemonade” has attained 4x Platinum, and both “Sasha Fierce” and “Dangerously In Love” have earned 7x Platinum certifications.

This latest milestone further solidifies Beyoncé’s legacy as one of the most influential and successful artists of all time.

Her ability to consistently deliver groundbreaking music that resonates with audiences worldwide has undoubtedly contributed to her unparalleled success.

Check out more music updates here.

FOREIGN

“Gladiator II” Becomes Denzel Washington’s Most Successful Movie With $320 Million Worldwide Gross

Published

3 weeks ago

December 4, 2024

Reporter

Gladiator II is Denzel Washington's Most Successful Movie | fab.ng

Gladiator II has become the highest-grossing film of Ridley Scott’s career. The movie features the legendary actor Denzel Washington.

Known as one of Hollywood’s most respected figures, Washington has built an extraordinary career filled with iconic performances and critical acclaim.

His influence extends far beyond Hollywood, earning him global admiration. However, despite his illustrious career, Washington has not always been the first name associated with record-breaking box office success compared to some of his contemporaries.

His recent collaboration with Ridley Scott has now changed that narrative. Gladiator II has shattered expectations, becoming Washington’s highest-grossing film worldwide.

The movie has earned an impressive $320.2 million globally. This surpasses his previous record-holder, American Gangster, which grossed $267.9 million.

This milestone solidifies Gladiator II as Washington’s most financially successful film directed by Scott.

Domestically, American Gangster has maintained its position as Washington’s top-earning film for 17 years, with a domestic gross of $130.1 million.

However, this record may soon be eclipsed by Gladiator II, which has already reached $111.4 million domestically and continues to draw large audiences.

The success of Gladiator II marks a significant achievement in Washington’s career. It shows his enduring appeal and the powerful collaboration with Ridley Scott.

This box office triumph not only highlights Washington’s versatility and star power but also sets a new benchmark for future projects.

Fans and industry insiders alike are watching closely, anticipating how far this latest release will go in redefining the actor’s box office legacy.

READ ALSO: Gladiator II” Records ₦99.1 Million In Its Opening Weekend At The Nigerian Box Office

Throughout his decades-long film career, Washington has taken on a variety of action roles, many of which have been box-office successes.

The Equaliser franchise, for instance, has grossed approximately $190 million worldwide per installment.

Even some of his less critically acclaimed films, such as 2012’s Safe House, achieved significant commercial success, grossing $208.1 million against a budget of $85 million.

FOREIGN

Lee Min-Ho Returns To The Big Screens In Netflix’s “When The Stars Gossip”

Published

1 month ago

November 21, 2024

Reporter

Lee Min-Ho back to the screen in When The Stars Gossip | fab.ng

Lee Min-ho is set to make a triumphant return to the big screens with Netflix’s upcoming South Korean series When The Stars Gossip.

After a well-planned hiatus, the iconic actor will star in this highly anticipated sci-fi romance alongside Gong Hyo-jin.

The series will premiere globally on January 4, 2025. Netflix K-Content announced it with exclusive first-look images that tease a captivating narrative exploring love and life among the stars.

In the series, Min-ho takes on the role of an OB-GYN who becomes a space tourist. Meanwhile, Gong portrays a space mission commander. Their characters promise an exciting dynamic that blends romance and adventure in an interstellar setting.

Renowned as one of South Korea’s most celebrated actors, Lee Min-ho rose to international fame with his breakout role as the charismatic Gu Jun-Pyo in the 2009 drama Boys Before Flowers.

His performance earned widespread acclaim and established him as a key figure in the global Hallyu wave. Over the years, he has enthralled audiences with his performances in hit dramas. These dramas are The Heirs (2013), Legend of the Blue Sea (2016), and The King: Eternal Monarch (2020).

Known for his selective approach to roles, Min-ho consistently curates projects that highlight his versatility, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his next move.

His most recent major project, Apple TV+’s Pachinko, showcased his exceptional acting skills. In seasons one (2022) and two (2024), Min-ho delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Koh Hansu, a morally complex and nuanced character. This role further cemented his reputation as a versatile and skilled actor.

Lee Min-ho’s deliberate approach to choosing projects has elevated the anticipation for When The Stars Gossip. Fans are thrilled to see him return to the small screen in a fresh and compelling narrative.

The series boasts an impressive supporting cast. They include Gong Hyo-jin (When the Camellia Blooms), Oh Jung-se (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay), Han Ji-Eun (Be Melodramatic), Kim Joo-hun (Castaway Diva), Lee El (My Liberation Notes), Lee Cho-hee (Once Again), and Heo Nam-jun (Sweet Home).

Our squeals of excitement just broke the sound barrier:

OB-GYN-turned-space-tourist #LeeMinho meets space mission commander #KongHyojin in sci-fi rom-com #WhentheStarsGossip.

This star-studded series with #OhJungse, #HanJieun, #KimJuhun, #EL, #LeeChohee, and #HeoNamjun is… pic.twitter.com/8s0nvdZTA9

— Netflix K-Content (@netflixkcontent) November 20, 2024