- Reaction score
- 28
- Points
- 560
First senior figure to be targeted for many years
The commander of Zimbabwe's air force has been wounded in what officials are calling an assassination attempt.
Perence Shiri, 53, a close ally of President Mugabe, seen as one of the most feared military leaders, was shot
in the arm and is said to be stable. The opposition MDC says he was one of the masterminds of violence against
its supporters during this year's election. Its spokesman said the attack was aimed at justifying a military crackdown
and eventual declaration of an emergency.
The incident comes as pressure grows on Zimbabwe to allow international mediation in its political crisis. The crisis
is compounded by a cholera epidemic which has left hundreds dead. On Monday, at the UN Security Council's first
discussions on Zimbabwe since July, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said the world was witnessing a failure of
the leadership in Zimbabwe to address the crisis.
After disputed presidential elections in March, President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) agreed to form a power-sharing government. But implementation
of that agreement, reached in September, has been dogged by disagreements over whose supporters would
get key ministries.
PERENCE SHIRI
Accused of masterminding attacks on opposition in 2008
Member of Joint Operations Command - top military body
Accused of leading farm invasions in 2000
Led brutal campaign against "dissidents" in 1980s, which left 20,000 dead
Called himself "Black Jesus" - as he had the power of life or death
Cousin of Robert Mugabe
On sanctions list of US, EU
Age: 53
More ('Terror attacks', Crackdown fear) on link
The commander of Zimbabwe's air force has been wounded in what officials are calling an assassination attempt.
Perence Shiri, 53, a close ally of President Mugabe, seen as one of the most feared military leaders, was shot
in the arm and is said to be stable. The opposition MDC says he was one of the masterminds of violence against
its supporters during this year's election. Its spokesman said the attack was aimed at justifying a military crackdown
and eventual declaration of an emergency.
The incident comes as pressure grows on Zimbabwe to allow international mediation in its political crisis. The crisis
is compounded by a cholera epidemic which has left hundreds dead. On Monday, at the UN Security Council's first
discussions on Zimbabwe since July, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said the world was witnessing a failure of
the leadership in Zimbabwe to address the crisis.
After disputed presidential elections in March, President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) agreed to form a power-sharing government. But implementation
of that agreement, reached in September, has been dogged by disagreements over whose supporters would
get key ministries.
PERENCE SHIRI
Accused of masterminding attacks on opposition in 2008
Member of Joint Operations Command - top military body
Accused of leading farm invasions in 2000
Led brutal campaign against "dissidents" in 1980s, which left 20,000 dead
Called himself "Black Jesus" - as he had the power of life or death
Cousin of Robert Mugabe
On sanctions list of US, EU
Age: 53
More ('Terror attacks', Crackdown fear) on link
