2017 Zimbabwe Coup vs. Russian Wagner Group Coup Attempt

Attribute	2017 Zimbabwe Coup	Russian Wagner Group Coup Attempt
Location	Zimbabwe	Central African Republic
Date	November 2017	2018
Leaders	Emmerson Mnangagwa	Unknown
Outcome	Mugabe resigned	Failed

Background

In November 2017, Zimbabwe experienced a military coup that led to the resignation of long-time President Robert Mugabe. The coup was carried out by the Zimbabwean military, who placed Mugabe under house arrest and took control of the government. On the other hand, the Russian Wagner Group, a private military company with ties to the Russian government, attempted a coup in the Central African Republic in 2018. The Wagner Group's coup attempt was ultimately unsuccessful, but it highlighted the growing influence of private military companies in global politics.

Motivations

The motivations behind the 2017 Zimbabwe coup were largely centered around removing Robert Mugabe from power. Mugabe, who had been in power for nearly four decades, was facing increasing criticism for his authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement. The military, led by General Constantino Chiwenga, saw an opportunity to remove Mugabe and install a new leader. In contrast, the Wagner Group's motivations for the coup attempt in the Central African Republic were less clear. Some analysts believe that the Wagner Group was seeking to gain access to the country's natural resources, while others suggest that the coup was an attempt to expand Russian influence in the region.

Execution

The execution of the 2017 Zimbabwe coup was relatively swift and bloodless. The military moved quickly to take control of key government institutions and place Mugabe under house arrest. The coup was largely welcomed by the Zimbabwean people, who were tired of Mugabe's rule. In contrast, the Wagner Group's coup attempt in the Central African Republic was met with strong resistance from both the government and the international community. The Wagner Group's forces were quickly repelled, and the coup attempt was ultimately unsuccessful.

International Response

The international response to the 2017 Zimbabwe coup was mixed. While some countries, such as China and Russia, expressed support for the military's actions, others, including the United States and the European Union, condemned the coup and called for a return to civilian rule. In the case of the Wagner Group's coup attempt in the Central African Republic, the international community was quick to denounce the actions of the private military company. The United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning the coup attempt and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the 2017 Zimbabwe coup was marked by the resignation of Robert Mugabe and the installation of Emmerson Mnangagwa as the new president. Mnangagwa, a former ally of Mugabe, promised to bring about political and economic reforms in Zimbabwe. However, his government has been criticized for human rights abuses and corruption. In contrast, the aftermath of the Wagner Group's coup attempt in the Central African Republic was relatively minor. The Wagner Group's forces were quickly defeated, and the government remained in power. However, the coup attempt highlighted the growing influence of private military companies in global politics.