Mugabe makes 'academic' public appearance, first since army takeover

Embattled Zimbabwean president Robert Gabriel Mugabe made his first public appearance in the wake of the military takeover on Wednesday.

Scenes at the 15th ZOU graduation ceremony today pic.twitter.com/hrDABGmk4O

— ZBC News Online (@ZBCNewsonline) November 17, 2017

The 93-year-old joined a graduation ceremony at the Zimbabwe Open University in the capital Harare. The last photos of him before today was during a meeting on Thursday with the army chief and negotiators from South Africa and the country’s Catholic church.

As he turns 93-years-old today: Who is Robert Mugabe? https://t.co/nVm05XgW3e

— africanews (@africanews) February 21, 2017

Mugabe appeared wearing a blue and yellow academic gown with a cap, “sat in large wooden chair at the front the hall. He was greeted by ululations from the crowd as he declared the ceremony open,” Reuters news agency said.

Zimbabwe's leader since 1980: Mugabe met the high and mighty >https://t.co/2OIt7K6BIc pic.twitter.com/yXqGEccrT9

— africanews (@africanews) November 16, 2017

Despite opening the ceremony he did not make any public pronouncements keeping in tradition with the usual process. He, however, conferred degrees on deserving students. Reports indicate he has since left the premises.