VOA慢速英语--Mugabe Makes First Appearance Since House Arrest

 

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe made his first public appearance since the military placed him under house arrest this week.

Zimbabwe’s long-time leader attended a graduation ceremony at Zimbabwe Open University near Harare.

The military, however, has announced “significant progress” on talks aimed at having Mugabe step down.

Zimbabwe’s military continues to show respect for the 93-year-old leader by referring to him as the president and the commander-in-chief. Mugabe is the world’s oldest head of state.

However, the military said Friday it was arresting or seeking the arrest of some people close to Mugabe and his wife.

During the ceremony on Friday, Mugabe wore an academic gown and hat. He walked slowly to a podium, and he joined the crowd singing the national anthem¹ and opened the ceremony. But he did not make a speech.

The state-run Herald² newspaper and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation said military leaders are “engaging with the Commander-in-Chief President Robert Mugabe on the way forward and will advise the nation of the outcome as soon as possible.”

Negotiations³ appear to be seeking to get Mugabe to agree to hand over power to a new government. But, timing⁴ the process may be difficult. The ruling ZANU-PF party is to meet next month. Mugabe’s term as president ends next year, but an election date has not been set.

The statement from the military said it had made progress “to weed out criminals around President Mugabe.”

The military is seeking to remove Cabinet ministers and other top officials associated with first lady Grace Mugabe.

The Herald also published photos of Mugabe shaking hands with General Constantino Chiwenga. Chiwenga is the man who ordered Mugabe’s arrest.

The military action follows Mugabe’s dismissal of Vice⁵ President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The dismissal appeared to position Mugabe’s wife, Grace, as the next leader.

The first lady was not seen at the graduation ceremony Friday.

Little public reaction has been reported. Zimbabweans went about their daily business as soldiers and armored vehicles continued to patrol the capital, Harare.

Headlines in some of Zimbabwe’s newspapers declared the Mugabe era over. “Dawn of a new era,” one said. “Mugabe remembered for brutal⁶ 37-year rule,” said another.

I’m Mario Ritter.

Words in This Story

house arrest –n. to be detained by officials in one’s own home

significant –adj. important, notable

podium –n. a small stand from which people give speeches

weed out –v. to selectively remove

1 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

2 herald   

vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎

参考例句：

• In England, the cuckoo is the herald of spring.在英国杜鹃鸟是报春的使者。
• Dawn is the herald of day.曙光是白昼的先驱。

3 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

4 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

5 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

6 brutal   

adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的

参考例句：

• She has to face the brutal reality.她不得不去面对冷酷的现实。
• They're brutal people behind their civilised veneer.他们表面上温文有礼，骨子里却是野蛮残忍。