Zimbabwe military vows to keep longtime ruler in power, says PM is a 'security t

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Zimbabwe military vows to keep longtime ruler in power, says PM is a 'security

threat'

By Gillian Gotora, The Associated Press | The Canadian Press – Thu, 23

Jun, 2011

HARARE, Zimbabwe - A Zimbabwean general has described the country's prime

minister as a " security threat " and accused him of taking instructions from

Westerners that endanger national security, in an interview published Thursday

by a state-run newspaper.

Brig. Gen. Nyikayaramba told the Herald Newspaper that the military will

do anything to keep longtime President Mugabe in power.

" We will die for him to make sure he remains in power, " the Herald quoted him as

saying. The Herald is a mouthpiece for Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party.

Nyikayaramba, a member of the Joint Operational Command of generals and police

chiefs, said the military and Mugabe's Zanu-PF party are " inseparable. "

Mugabe joined a troubled coalition in 2009 with Tsvangirai, the former

opposition leader. Tsvangirai on Sunday accused the military of bias and

meddling in politics.

In the past, Nyikayaramba has acted as unofficial spokesman for the usually

secretive Joint Operational Command that is often seen as the real power behind

Mugabe, 87.

Top military officials have repeatedly said they would not serve under

Tsvangirai if he became president because he did not take part in guerrilla war

that ended white rule at independence in 1980.

Military commanders have refused to salute Tsvangirai on state occasions.

Nyikayaramba, a former guerrilla in the seven-year bush war, said the military

now viewed Tsvangirai as a security threat for his ties with Western nations

demanding Mugabe's ouster.

" Tsvangirai does not pose a political threat in any way but is a major security

threat ... taking instructions from foreigners who seek to effect illegal regime

change in Zimbabwe, " he said.

Tsvangirai and several independent rights groups blame the army and the police

loyal to Mugabe for political violence and human rights violations in a decade

of political and economic turmoil that led to Zimbabwe's economic meltdown.

Nyikayaramba also accused Tsvangirai of seeking to overturn Zimbabwe's successes

in becoming independent.

" Daydreamers who want to reverse the gains of our liberation struggle ... can go

to hell, they will never rule this country, " he said.

Nyikayaramba said the military will ensure Mugabe remains in office.

" We cannot keep quiet, " Nyikayaramba said. " As the security forces we will not

sit back and watch things going wrong. President Mugabe will only leave office

when he sees it fit or dies. "

Mugabe, who has ruled since independence, has called for elections this year to

end the coalition but has been put under pressure from regional leaders to

complete electoral and constitutional reforms first.

Regional leaders have rebuked Mugabe's party for unleashing violence and

intimidation against opponents and delaying reforms. At a summit earlier this

month, the leaders endorsed those criticisms by the chief Zimbabwe mediator,

President Zuma of South Africa. Mugabe later insisted that those

criticisms had not been endorsed, but only noted.

Tsvangirai responded on Sunday by saying the Mugabe lied about the summit's

outcome. Hardliners in Mugabe's party this week called for Tsvangirai's arrest

for insulting the president, an offence under sweeping security laws.