President Mnangagwa fired his army boss on Tuesday and sent Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe to run the sports department instead. Nobody knows exactly why he made this change. Political fights are heating up years before the next big election, planned for 2028.
The president immediately fired Sanyatwe from the military. Martin Rushwaya, who works directly under the president, announced this news. Sanyatwe must leave his job as Zimbabwe National Army commander. His new assignment puts him far from military power.
Sanyatwe once led the special guards who protect the president. The 69-year-old served as Zimbabwe's top person in Tanzania previously. America punished him back in 2019 for human rights problems. They blamed him when police hurt regular people during protests after the elections in 2018. Six people died then.
Former President Biden removed these punishments last year, and British officials also froze his money back in 2021. His removal happened during tough times in this southern African country, where money problems keep growing worse because leaders steal cash and make bad choices.
Police locked up a reporter who talked with Blessed Geza recently. Geza supports Vice President Chiwenga. Many believe Chiwenga wants to replace Mnangagwa soon. Expert Eldred Masunungure says the president wants protection from an army rebellion. He expects more firings aimed at soldiers who like Geza.
Masunungure warned these actions could backfire badly. Mnangagwa leads a party that ruled for more than forty years. He grabbed power through army action against Robert Mugabe in 2017. Western countries hoped things might improve after Mnangagwa took charge. Instead, rights groups say he still blocks anyone who disagrees with him.
The president immediately fired Sanyatwe from the military. Martin Rushwaya, who works directly under the president, announced this news. Sanyatwe must leave his job as Zimbabwe National Army commander. His new assignment puts him far from military power.
Sanyatwe once led the special guards who protect the president. The 69-year-old served as Zimbabwe's top person in Tanzania previously. America punished him back in 2019 for human rights problems. They blamed him when police hurt regular people during protests after the elections in 2018. Six people died then.
Former President Biden removed these punishments last year, and British officials also froze his money back in 2021. His removal happened during tough times in this southern African country, where money problems keep growing worse because leaders steal cash and make bad choices.
Police locked up a reporter who talked with Blessed Geza recently. Geza supports Vice President Chiwenga. Many believe Chiwenga wants to replace Mnangagwa soon. Expert Eldred Masunungure says the president wants protection from an army rebellion. He expects more firings aimed at soldiers who like Geza.
Masunungure warned these actions could backfire badly. Mnangagwa leads a party that ruled for more than forty years. He grabbed power through army action against Robert Mugabe in 2017. Western countries hoped things might improve after Mnangagwa took charge. Instead, rights groups say he still blocks anyone who disagrees with him.
