President Mnangagwa might declare a state of emergency before the big protests planned for March 31. People who work in security shared this news recently. Military-backed war veterans planned these protests under the leadership of Blessed Geza. They want to prevent Mnangagwa from running Zimbabwe.
Someone set fire to cars parked near businesses that support Mnangagwa around Harare. Many see these fires as warning signs about growing anger. The war veterans claim these business people pay for Mnangagwa's efforts to stay president past his legal two terms. They say he wants to lead until 2030, even though the rules say he must step down in 2028.
Mnangagwa faced tough competition from Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga right before these protests started. He fired Zimbabwe National Army leader Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe and made him Sports Minister instead. This move looks like Mnangagwa wants to protect himself from army problems. He picked Major-General Emmanuel Matatu as the new army leader. Matatu comes from Mnangagwa's home area in the Midlands.
Police officers stand guard everywhere across Zimbabwe to stop any trouble from these protests. The army has barely said anything except to warn regular people not to wear military clothes. This silence seems strange since the army usually steps in during such times. A state of emergency would let the government limit freedoms and stop public meetings. They might also create a curfew that keeps people home during certain hours. Past states of emergency in Zimbabwe led to human rights problems. Many worry what might happen if Mnangagwa makes this choice.
Someone set fire to cars parked near businesses that support Mnangagwa around Harare. Many see these fires as warning signs about growing anger. The war veterans claim these business people pay for Mnangagwa's efforts to stay president past his legal two terms. They say he wants to lead until 2030, even though the rules say he must step down in 2028.
Mnangagwa faced tough competition from Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga right before these protests started. He fired Zimbabwe National Army leader Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe and made him Sports Minister instead. This move looks like Mnangagwa wants to protect himself from army problems. He picked Major-General Emmanuel Matatu as the new army leader. Matatu comes from Mnangagwa's home area in the Midlands.
Police officers stand guard everywhere across Zimbabwe to stop any trouble from these protests. The army has barely said anything except to warn regular people not to wear military clothes. This silence seems strange since the army usually steps in during such times. A state of emergency would let the government limit freedoms and stop public meetings. They might also create a curfew that keeps people home during certain hours. Past states of emergency in Zimbabwe led to human rights problems. Many worry what might happen if Mnangagwa makes this choice.
