Mugabe Makes First Public Appearance Since House Arrest

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has made his first public appearance outside of his home, since after the military seized power on Wednesday.

Mugabe was seen on Friday attending a graduation ceremony in the capital city of Harare.

The 93-year-old was dressed in a blue academic gown and cap, and was reportedly cheered by the crowd at the ceremony after he spoke.

He was also said to have joined the crowd in singing the national anthem while walking slowly up a red carpet.

The country has made headlines for the majority of the week, after military seized power, urging the president to step down from power peacefully, after 37-years of leading the country.

The move has failed so far as Mugabe reportedly refused to cede power, saying he remains the only legitimate leader of the country.

Mugabe and his family have been under house arrest since then.

Leaders of Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party on Friday threatened to draft a resolution to sack Mugabe if he refuses to cede power.

A senior party source was quoted as saying the leaders will lay the ground for his impeachment on Tuesday if Mugabe refused to stand down.

“There is no going back,” the source told Reuters. “If he becomes stubborn, we will arrange for him to be fired on Sunday. When that is done, it’s impeachment on Tuesday.”

Zimbabwe’s military said it was engaging Mugabe in talks on the way forward for the country and that it would advise the nation on the outcome as soon as possible.

The military added in a statement broadcast on Zimbabwean television that it had made “significant progress” in its operation targeting “criminals” around Mugabe.