Zimbabwe’s Mugabe in first public appearance since coup

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe made a surprise first public appearance since the Wednesday military takeover when he attended a graduation ceremony on Friday.

The 93-year-old president attended the ceremony at Zimbabwe Open University without his Education minister who has since been arrested.

Wearing a blue and yellow academic gown and mortar board hat, the president, who is said to be under house arrest sat in a large wooden chair at the front the hall. He was greeted by ululations from the crowd as he declared the ceremony open.

Meanwhile, leaders of Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party are expected to meet on Friday to draft a resolution to dismiss President Robert Mugabe at the weekend.

The ruling party is also expected to lay the ground for his impeachment next week if he refuses to stand down.