Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has appointed Emmanuel Matatu, a former major general and veteran of the 1970s liberation war, as the new army chief. This appointment comes ahead of planned protests on Monday by a group of war veterans who are calling for Mnangagwa’s resignation. The protests are fueled by accusations of mismanagement and corruption, and the group has been vocal in demanding the president step down.
Matatu, who is reportedly 72 years old, has a history in the Zimbabwe People’s Republic Army (Zipra), which was one of the two main guerrilla forces that fought against white-minority rule in the former Rhodesia. Zipra, led by Joshua Nkomo, was the rival of the Zanu party, which Mnangagwa and Robert Mugabe were a part of. The two forces merged after independence to form the ruling party, Zanu-PF. Matatu’s appointment is seen as part of a broader effort by Mnangagwa to consolidate power within the military, particularly by aligning with his trusted allies in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), including ZDF commander Philip Valerio Sibanda, another former Zipra veteran.
This reshuffle comes after Mnangagwa abruptly retired Lt Gen Anselem Sanyatwe, the former army chief, appointing him as the new minister of sports, arts, and culture. Matatu’s promotion is viewed as a move to strengthen the leadership of Zimbabwe’s defense forces, with many speculating that it will help Mnangagwa solidify his control amid growing internal opposition.
The planned protests, called by a faction of war veterans, have called for Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to take over the presidency. Chiwenga, who previously led the ZDF before becoming vice president, is reportedly supported by the protesting veterans. In response, the police have issued a four-day ban on carrying weapons or any instruments that could be used for violence in the capital, Harare, and the security minister has warned the public against participating in the protests.
Mnangagwa, nicknamed “The Crocodile” for his reputation as a ruthless political figure, became president in 2017 after a coup ousted Robert Mugabe. Despite serving his second and final term, which runs until 2028, there have been growing concerns within his party about his intentions to extend his time in power. Critics fear a repeat of the events leading up to the coup that removed Mugabe, especially after Mnangagwa recently denied rumors that he planned to remain in office beyond his term.
As the protests loom, the situation remains tense, with the government taking steps to limit the scope of any unrest. It remains uncertain how much public support the war veterans’ protests will have, but the military’s new leadership, under Matatu’s command, will likely play a key role in managing the unfolding crisis.