Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa names new army chief

The President of Zimbabwe, Emerson, Manangjoa, appointed a new head of the army before the planned protests on Monday, and a group of ancient warriors who want to force the president called it to resign.

The former brigade, Emmanuel Matto, takes over its immediate effect.

President Manangjoa faced calls from his former supporters to step down, citing mismanagement and corruption.

Earlier this week, Mnangagwa suddenly retired his army commander, Lieutenant General Angem Saniatle, offered by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture.

Matato, 72, is an old warrior in the liberation war in the 1970s, which is still a great factor in politics in Zimbabwe.

He trained in Zambia as a member of the Zimbabwe Republic of the Republic of Zimbabwe – one of the two competing guerrilla warfare forces who fought a rule in white rule in Rodisia at the time.

Zabra’s armed wing of Zabo – led by Joshua Nkomo – was unlike the Zano party of Robert Mugabe and Emerson Manangua. After independence, the two groups to form the Zanu-PF merged, which have been in power since then.

Matato is seen as a loyal president of the Zimbabwe defense forces (ZDF), Philip Valerio Sibanda, who is also a veterans in the Zebra war.

General Sebanda is likely to strengthen his control over the army that suits President Manangjoa and makes him feel safe because he trusts the ZDF leader.

ZDF was previously led by the man who is now Vice President, Constantino Cheyinga.

The veterans of the war, who call on Monday’s protests, called for Cheyinga to take over the presidency.

According to the state -owned Cronic newspaper, the upgrade of Mattato is part of a continuous effort to strengthen the leadership of the country’s defense forces.

Because of his harsh reputation, Emmerson Mnangagwa He goes with the title “Crocodile”.

He became president in 2017 after a coup against his leader Robert Mugabe for a long time, and is currently spending his second and last term, which ends in 2028.

The problem started with fermentation during the Zanu-PF marches last year after reports that Mnangagwa wanted to extend his stay in office.

Despite the last assertion of Mnangagwa that he was planning to step down in three years, many are still not convinced.

Criticism about his leadership from inside his party and his accusation that he intended to cling to power intends to take place memories of the coup that overthrew Mugabe.

Although it is not clear the amount of general support for the old warriors of the planned protests, the Security Minister warned against Zimbabwe against participating in the demonstrations.

Police announced a four -day ban on the capital to carry weapons or any tools that can be used to cause violence.