President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday called for calm, peace and respect for the constitution in Zimbabwe.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the president urged all political and military stakeholders in Zimbabwe to avoid any action that might plunge the country into unnecessary conflict and impact negatively on the region.
According to him, every attempt must be made to resolve all contentious issues through constitutional means to save the country from avoidable political instability.
The head of the African Union said the action of the countryโs military โseems like a coupโ.
African Union leader Alpha Conde, who is also Guineaโs president, said the AU condemned the actions of military chiefs in the southern African country, adding that they were โclearly soldiers trying to take power by forceโ.
โThe African Union expresses its serious concern regarding the situation unfolding in Zimbabwe,โ he said, before demanding โconstitutional orderโฆ be restored immediatelyโ as he called โon all stakeholders to show responsibility and restraintโ.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for calm, non-violence and restraint after gunfire and explosions were heard near Mr. Mugabeโs compound.
Prime Minister Theresa May urged for โrestraint on all sidesโ and โan avoidance of violenceโ.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called for โproper, free and fair electionsโ to prevent Zimbabwe transitioning โfrom one unelected tyrant to anotherโ.
He added: โWe will do all we can, with our international partners, to ensure this provides a genuine opportunity for all Zimbabweans to decide their future.โ
