FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2017, file photo, Zimbabwean President Robert Muagbe addresses mourners at the Heroes Acre in Harare. Zimbabwe's army said Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, it has Mugabe and his wife in custody and is securing government offices and patrolling the capital's streets following a night of unrest that included a military takeover of the state broadcaster. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi, File)
Republished November 15, 2017 - 5:00 AM
Original Publication Date November 15, 2017 - 4:21 AM
HARARE, Zimbabwe - Africa is riveted by the overnight drama that has left longtime Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe in military custody. Many across the continent have known no other leader of the once-prosperous southern African nation but the 93-year-old Mugabe, the world's oldest head of state. Here is a look at his more than three decades in power.
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1980: Mugabe named prime minister after independence elections
1982: Military action begins in Matabeleland against perceived uprising; government is accused of killing thousands of civilians
1987: Mugabe changes constitution and becomes president
1994: Mugabe receives honorary British knighthood
2000: Land seizures of white-owned farms begin; Western donors cut off aid
2005: United States calls Zimbabwe an "outpost of tyranny"
2008: Mugabe and opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirayi agree to share power after contested election; Britain's Queen Elizabeth II annuls Mugabe's honorary knighthood
2011: Prime Minister Tsvangirayi declares power-sharing a failure amid violence
2013: Mugabe wins seventh term; opposition alleges election fraud
2016: #ThisFlag protest movement emerges; independence war veterans turn on Mugabe, calling him "dictatorial"
2017: Mugabe begins campaigning for 2018 elections
Nov. 6: Mugabe fires deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, appearing to position first lady Grace Mugabe for vice-president post
Nov. 15: Army announces it has Mugabe and his wife in custody as military appears to take control
News from © The Associated Press, 2017