Britain Silent About Military Coup But Condemns Mugabe's 'Brutal' Record

Speaking to British ministers in the House of Commons earlier, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson addressed events in Zimbabwe:

"We cannot tell how developments in Zimbabwe will play out in the days ahead, and we do not know whether this marks the downfall of Mugabe or not. We call for calm and restraint.

"All Britain has ever wanted for Zimbabweans is to be able to decide their own future in free and fair elections.

Britain Silent About Military Coup But Condemns Mugabe's 'Brutal' Record

"Mugabe's consuming ambitions was always to deny them that choice. And this House [pf Commons] will remember the brutal litany of his 37 years in office. The elections he rigged and stole; the murder and torture of his opponents; the illegal seizure of land leading to the worst hyper-inflation in recorded history.

"Authoritarian rule, whether in Zimbabwe or anywhere else, should have no place in Africa... Elections are due to be held in the first half of next year. We will do all we can with our international partners to ensure this provides a genuine opportunity for all Zimbabweans to decide their future."

Fellow Conservative party MP Rehamn Chishti called for Zimbabwe to be readmitted to the Commonwealth if it pursues democracy.

"Wouldn't it be wonderful?" replied Mr Johnson.

Source - BBC