Tag Archives: Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Politics

Zimbabwe’s Crocodile leader Mnangagwa eyes for life President

Burnett Munthali

HARARE-(MaraviPost)-Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa is planning to amend the constitution to extend his tenure to 2030 and possibly beyond, sparking concerns about his grip on power.

The proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 would allow Mnangagwa to claim eligibility for a third term and potentially make him president for life.

Mnangagwa’s guile and ruthlessness have earned him the nickname “the Crocodile”, and he appears determined to maintain his leadership.

The bill, which is subject to a 90-day public consultation period, would also change the way the president is elected, shifting from popular vote to parliamentary selection.

Critics argue that Mnangagwa’s intentions are driven by a desire to stay in power, rather than serving the people.

“This whole thing is driven by his desire to die in power,” said Hopewell Chin’ono, an investigative journalist and anti-corruption campaigner.

The proposed changes have sparked widespread criticism, with some comparing Mnangagwa’s rule to that of his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, who clung to power for 37 years. “It’s just repression,” said Tendai Biti, a veteran opposition politician.

Mnangagwa’s bid to extend his tenure is a far cry from the hope that briefly flickered in 2017 when he replaced Mugabe.

At the time, Mnangagwa pledged to open Zimbabwe up for business and repair relations with the international community.

However, his honeymoon was short-lived, and allegations of corruption and human rights abuses have surrounded his administration.

The US Treasury sanctioned Mnangagwa in 2024 for his involvement in “corrupt activities” and human rights abuses.

Despite the improving macroeconomic outlook, ordinary Zimbabweans continue to struggle. Economists say the economy has stayed afloat thanks to remittances from abroad and high gold prices.

The constitutional court must now decide whether a referendum on the proposed changes is necessary.

One political observer said that with or without a referendum, Zanu-PF would find it easier to pick the president through a pliant parliament than through a fractious electorate.

SADC

Regional leaders unite to address DRC security concerns

Maravi Post Reporter

By Jones Gadama

In a significant display of regional solidarity, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi joined fellow heads of state and government from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for a virtual meeting on Monday evening.

The emergency summit, convened to address the escalating security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), brought together key regional leaders to forge a united response to the crisis.

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa praised the regional blocs for demonstrating a sense of solidarity in the face of adversity.

“It is heartening to see our regional communities coming together to address the security challenges facing the DRC,” President Mnangagwa said.

He added, “This show of unity is a testament to our commitment to peace and stability in the region.”

President William Ruto of Kenya, co-chairperson of the summit, congratulated DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for their commitment to tackling the issues affecting the continent.

“We recognize the critical role that the DRC and Rwanda play in regional stability, and we commend their leaders for their efforts to address the security challenges facing the region,” President Ruto said.

The virtual meeting marked the second joint EAC-SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, following the first meeting convened in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025.

The summit aimed to coordinate a regional response to the deteriorating security situation in the DRC, which has raised concerns about the potential for regional instability.

The leaders discussed various strategies for addressing the security challenges in the DRC, including diplomatic efforts, economic cooperation, and regional security initiatives.

They also emphasized the importance of international cooperation and support in addressing the crisis.

As the region continues to grapple with the security challenges facing the DRC, the summit marked an important step towards forging a united regional response.

With the commitment and cooperation of regional leaders, there is hope for a peaceful and stable resolution to the crisis.

The summit’s outcome is expected to have significant implications for regional stability and security.

As the situation in the DRC continues to evolve, the region will be watching closely to see how the commitments made at the summit translate into action on the ground.

In related news, the African Union (AU) has also expressed concern about the security situation in the DRC and has called for a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the crisis.

The AU has offered to support regional efforts to address the security challenges facing the DRC.

As the region moves forward, it is clear that a united and coordinated response will be critical in addressing the security challenges facing the DRC.

With the commitment and cooperation of regional leaders, there is hope for a peaceful and stable resolution to the crisis.

Human Rights, Regional, SADC, Top News

Zimbabwe’s MDC Leader Chamisa accuses Govt of brutal crackdown

Lloyd M’bwana

 

Protesters burning tyres in the Zimbabwean capital HarareImage copyrightEPA Image captionProtesters burning tyres in the Zimbabwean capital Harare

 

HARARE--Zimbabwe’s opposition says its members have been victims of a brutal crackdown in response to violent protests against a sharp rise in the price of fuel.

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Nelson Chamisa said many of its members had been detained including four MPs.

He said security forces had attacked families in their homes.

According to BBC, the government has blamed the MDC for stoking the violence. Rights groups say at least 12 people have been killed but this has not been officially confirmed.

The trade union umbrella group that called the protests, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, says its leader, Japhet Moyo, has also been arrested.

Earlier it emerged that South Africa had rejected a request from Zimbabwe for an emergency loan of $1.2bn (£932m) in December.

The government had hoped the cash would help stabilise the economy and resolve fuel shortages in the country.

On Sunday, the government said the security forces’ actions were just “a foretaste of things to come“.

News of the violent crackdown emerged despite the country’s internet, including social media and messaging apps, being cut off.

Speaking to the state-owned Sunday Mail newspaper, a presidential spokesman blamed the MDC for the violence that has accompanied the protests.

Roads were barricaded by protesters last week

“The MDC leadership has been consistently pushing out the message that they will use violent street action to overturn the results of [last year’s] ballot,” George Charamba said.

The opposition rejected a court ruling in August that confirmed that President Mnangagwa had beaten Mr Chamisa.

What is the opposition saying?

“There is no justification whatsoever of having soldiers with live ammunition, with guns, machine guns, AK47 on the streets, beating up citizens,” Mr Chamisa told the BBC.

“People are being approached in their homes, they are being taken out of their homes with their families even if they are sleeping… a lot of people have been arrested for no apparent reason.”

The MDC’s national chairperson, Thabitha Khumalo, said that she had gone into hiding after the police and military turned up at her home at night.

Why has the fuel price increased?

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa announcement of a steep increase in the fuel price over a week ago led to angry protests in the capital, Harare, and the south-western city of Bulawayo.

The price rise was aimed at tackling shortages caused by an increase in fuel use and “rampant” illegal trading, he said.

But many Zimbabweans, worn down by years of economic hardship, suddenly found they could not even afford the bus fare to work.

The new prices mean Zimbabwe now has the most expensive fuel in the world, according to GlobalPetrolPrices.com

Many feel that the president, who has been on a tour of Russia and Asian countries, is failing to live up to his promises following his election last year in disputed polls.

He has been struggling to revive the economy, which is experiencing high inflation while wages have stagnated.

The president has now cut short his foreign tour to return home “in light of the economic situation”, he said on Twitter.

Access to the internet was intermittent throughout the week, but people found they were unable to use social media and the WhatsApp messaging platform, which has become a common way to share news.

Politics, Top News

Zimbabwe applies to rejoin Commonwealth

Maravi Post Reporter

President Mnangagwa has repeatedly said he wants to rebuild international ties hence application to rejoin the Commonwealth – 15 years after they left the group.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said she was delighted to receive a letter from Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, dated 15 May.

However, she added they would only return “when the conditions are right”.

President Mnangagwa, who came to power in November after long-time leader Robert Mugabe was ousted, has said repeatedly he wants to rebuild international ties.

In a statement released on the Commonwealth’s website, Baroness Scotland said:

“I whole-heartedly echo the sentiments of heads of government who have said twice, in 2009 and subsequently in 2011, that they very much look forward to Zimbabwe’s return when the conditions are right.

Zimbabwe’s eventual return to the Commonwealth, following a successful membership application, would be a momentous occasion, given our shared rich history.”

Zimbabwe withdrew from the 53 country-strong Commonwealth in 2003, having initially joined in 1980, after its membership was suspended amid reports of election rigging.

President Mugabe rejected previous attempts to bring the country back into the group.

The Commonwealth statement said the country would have to comply with “the fundamental values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, including democracy and rule of law plus protection of human rights such as freedom of expression” before being allowed to rejoin.

Commonwealth observers have been invited to attend this year’s elections in Zimbabwe – a process which will now form part of the informal assessment which will be carried out as part of the application.

The other member countries will also be consulted, the statement added.