ZIMBABWE’S POLITICAL DRAMA: CHIWENGA BLOCKS MNANGAGWA’S THIRD TERM BID
In a big political event in Zimbabwe, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, with support from the military, has stopped President Emmerson Mnangagwa from trying to get a third term in office. This move surprised many people, especially those close to the president. It forced Mnangagwa to give up his idea of extending his time in power. He had to publicly say he would not try to change the constitution to stay in power longer, as pressure came from both his supporters and others inside his government.
Mnangagwa became president in 2017 after a coup that removed Robert Mugabe, who had ruled Zimbabwe for a long time. But during the last election, Mnangagwa moved away from the military’s help. Instead, he used the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and a group connected to it, called Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ), to help him win. This move was seen as a way for Mnangagwa to avoid any trouble from inside his government, but it also made some people question if the election was fair.
The military leaders were not happy with Mnangagwa relying on the CIO and FAZ. Even though they did not speak out loudly at first, they were unhappy in secret and wanted to stop Mnangagwa from trying to stay in power longer than the constitution allows.
Things got more serious when Chiwenga, who has a lot of power in both the military and politics, began to make his own plans clear. He made moves that showed he was ready to take more control. One important move was when he helped appoint his ally, Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe, as the commander of the Zimbabwe National Army. This was a big deal because Mnangagwa had sent Sanyatwe out of Zimbabwe to Tanzania, trying to reduce his power after the 2017 coup.
Chiwenga’s goals became even more obvious when he had a big wedding last December. Many people saw his actions and words at the wedding as signs that he wanted to be president. Even with this, Mnangagwa kept trying to find ways to get a third term, using other people to help him and trying to change the minds of both the public and his party.
At first, Mnangagwa’s campaign for a third term was strong. He even hinted that he wanted to stay in power until 2030. But over time, more and more people inside the political world and across the country started to push back. As this opposition grew stronger, Mnangagwa’s plans started to lose energy. Seeing that continuing to push for a third term could hurt him politically, he decided to step back. He then started to present himself as someone who respects the constitution and the rule of law.
In an interview with “Brick by Brick” magazine, Mnangagwa denied that he wanted a third term. He said he respected democratic values and the limits set by the constitution. He also pointed out that his party, Zanu PF, had not taken any steps that would break the constitution, especially when it comes to how long a president can stay in office.
Zimbabwe’s constitution is very clear about presidential term limits. If anyone wants to change these limits, they would need a big change to the law. This would need a two-thirds vote in both houses of parliament, and maybe even a vote from the people in a referendum. Also, the rules say that any changes made to the term limits would not apply to the current president, only to future ones. This makes it very hard for any president to change the rules to stay in power longer.
This political situation shows how power, ambition, and the constitution are all connected in Zimbabwe. Now that Mnangagwa has agreed to follow the rules and not try to stay in power longer, people are watching to see what will happen next in Zimbabwe’s leadership. Chiwenga’s growing power, with help from the military, shows that the country’s political future is still uncertain. This situation could shape the future of Zimbabwe’s democracy and how power is shared in the country’s government.
Chiwenga and Mnangagwa are both strong leaders who have helped stabilize Zimbabwe. These rumors of a power struggle are just an attempt to weaken our leadership. The party stands united, and there’s no need for such speculation about third-term ambitions. This so-called division is nothing but media propaganda. ZANU PF remains strong under Mnangagwa’s leadership, and any talk of a third term was simply a distraction created by outsiders who want to interfere in our politics.
This whole situation is a reminder that Zimbabwe’s political future is still deeply uncertain. Mnangagwa’s backtrack on a third term may seem like a win for democracy, but the growing power of Chiwenga and the military shows that true democratic governance is still at risk in Zimbabwe.
It’s worrying to see how much influence the military still has in Zimbabwean politics. Chiwenga’s moves to stop Mnangagwa’s third-term ambitions highlight the dangerous intertwining of military and political power. This isn’t about respecting the constitution; it’s about who controls the country.
The power dynamics between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga reveal a troubling reality in Zimbabwean politics. While Mnangagwa’s public denial of a third-term bid is a relief, it’s clear that behind the scenes, power is being manipulated for personal gain. This isn’t democracy—it’s a game of political survival.