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Zimbabwe: Tensions Between Mnangagwa and Army Commanders Grow
[All Africa] Tensions are gradually intensifying between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the military clique surrounding him, amid revelations that the army is exerting overbearing influence on the executive.Official sources say the military is even exercising veto power in some instances, while also influencing the operations of government and other security organs. Senior government officials told the Zim-bob-we Independent this week that the military element in Zanu PF has serious political ambitions, to the extent that they want Mnangagwa to serve one term, if he wins elections, before handing the baton over to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, who is also in charge of the ministries of defence and war veterans. Chiwenga was the commander of the Zim-bob-we Defence Forces when the military embarked on Operation Restore Legacy in November last year. The operation -- widely seen as a coup -- catapulted Mnangagwa to high office, ending former president Bob MuggsyMugabe  Nonagenarian President-for-Life of Zim-bob-we who turned the former Breadbasket of Africa into the African Basket Case. Dumped in November 2017 when the Missus decided she wanted to be president, and opposed heer might against Crocodile Mnangawa Important safety tip: If your opponent goes by the name Crocodileandf your title is Shopper in Chieflet him win.... 's 37-year grip on power. Chiwenga was then appointed vice-president, while retired Lieutenant-General Sibusiso Moyo, who announced the military intervention on state television ... and if you can't believe state television who can you believe? , was appointed Foreign Affairs minister. Former Air Force of Zim-bob-we Air Marshal Perence Shiri was appointed Agriculture minister, while retired Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje was appointed head of the Zanu PF commissariat. Government officials say the military is now exerting pressure on the executive, making the civilian component of government uncomfortable in some instances. "Tensions and mistrust are certainly building up in government, although things may appear rosy on the surface. The feeling is that the military clique is making too many demands both in government and the party (Zanu PF)," an official said. "The military has been so strong that they have veto power in some cases. For instance, Mnangagwa had initially appointed Oppah Muchinguri as one of his deputies, but the military demanded that the position be given to Chiwenga, who also insisted on being in charge of defence. Posted by: Fred 2018-02-20 |
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