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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 30285, member: 2262"] Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa just picked a new army leader right before Monday's protests. Former major general Emmanuel Matatu starts the job immediately. Many previous supporters want Mnangagwa to quit because they say he mismanages the country and allows corruption. Mnangagwa recently moved his previous army chief to run the sports ministry. Matatu comes from Mnangagwa's home area of the Midlands. At 72 years old, he remains fairly unknown to most people. Political expert Eldred Masunungure told the BBC that this marks the fourth army commander since Mnangagwa took power less than eight years ago. He says this shows shaky relations between the party and military. Matatu fought in the liberation wars during the 1970s, which still affect Zimbabwe politics today. He trained with the Zimbabwe People's Republic Army in Zambia as they battled against white-minority rule. People see him as loyal to Philip Valerio Sibanda, who leads the entire defense forces. This appointment likely helped Sibanda gain more control over the army. This arrangement probably makes Mnangagwa feel safer because he trusts Sibanda. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga previously led these forces. The veterans planning Monday's protests want Chiwenga to become president instead. Due to his harsh reputation, Mnangagwa earned his nickname, The Crocodile. He became leader after helping remove Robert Mugabe in 2017. Mnangagwa is serving his second and final term, which ends in 2028. Problems started at political rallies last year when rumors spread about him wanting to stay longer. He recently promised to step down when his term finishes, but many people doubt him. The complaints about his leadership from inside his party remind many of what happened before Mugabe lost power. Nobody knows how much public support these veterans have for their protest plans. The security minister warned citizens not to join these demonstrations. Police banned weapons and anything that could cause violence around the capital city for four days. [/QUOTE]

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