Mugabe’s resignation brought an end to the impeachment proceedings brought by the ruling ZANU-PF party after its Central Committee voted to oust the president as party leader and select recently fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa as his replacement, a move that eventually could lead to Mnangagwa becoming head of state. Currently in exile, Mnangagwa served for decades as Mugabe’s enforcer, with a reputation for being astute and ruthless, more feared than popular.
Mugabe’s exit is good news. But Mnangagwa seems like more of the same – a ruthless “strong man” leader credibly accused of very serious human rights violations.
If he comes to power, and governs as his reputation suggests he would, it looks like it could be an “out of the frying pan, into the fire” situation.
As good as it is to see Mugabe finally go (and peacefully, before he got Ceaucescu-ed), Mnangagwa is certainly no democratic reformer.
While one can certainly hope, for the sake of the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe, that this transition will lead to something better, one can also hope that Trump will finally “pivot”, with roughly comparable odds of success. What just happened is very much about ZANU-PF, and the military, retaining power.
The rift between G40 and Mnangagwa could open a path for the opposition to take power. Tsvangirai came quite close in 2008.
I want to see him out of the office- and stripped of his ill-gotten gain - and without any means of power, before I believe it.
Signing a resignation letter is just a formality.
This episode of the lawfare podcast was really interesting, discussing the coup, etc.
Sadly, I doubt it will mean any immediate positive changes for Zimbabweans (90% unemployment, billions pilfered by the despot’s coterie), but I think it’s possible that Mnangagwa will be a weaker leader given Mugabe apparently is considered something of a George Washington among Zimbabweans; Mnangagwa does not have that same mythology to insulate him from plebeian criticism.
Then again, he and his friend who runs the army have committed atrocities before. It could very well be that fear of re/actions by other countries is all that stands between totalitarian tantrums and slight improvements.
Interestingly, I believe I’ve read or heard that Mnangagwa is 75 years old… so maybe he’ll pass away of old age or something. Maybe he’ll have a different perspective when he transitions from elder to methuselah; maybe he’ll want to leave behind a legacy rather than a ledger of blood favors and money.
Well thank goodness that the world community can count on the principled leadership of Donald Trump, who deplores dictators and makes human rights such a top priority. [/snark]
A precedent for our so-called President?
Fingers crossed…
Trump: “Human rights… is that a golf course?”