Zimbabwe’s President Shakes Up Military Leadership in Response to Growing Opposition

In a bold move to solidify his control over Zimbabwe’s government, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed one of the country’s top military officials, General Anselem Sanyatwe.

The firing of Sanyatwe, who was the second most powerful figure in Zimbabwe’s army, comes amid rising tensions within the country, including calls for protests and a growing challenge to Mnangagwa’s leadership.

Mnangagwa, who assumed power after a 2017 military coup that removed longtime leader Robert Mugabe, has faced increasing opposition from former allies within the ruling ZANU-PF party.

His leadership has been criticized for deepening Zimbabwe’s economic crisis and for attempting to extend his term beyond 2028, when his second presidential term is due to end.

Political analysts believe that the dismissal of General Sanyatwe is part of Mnangagwa’s broader strategy to protect himself from potential challenges to his rule, including the possibility of a coup.

This move marks the third major reshuffle of key security officials in recent months, with Mnangagwa also replacing the heads of the police and intelligence services.

The announcement of Sanyatwe’s removal comes at a time when war veterans from Zimbabwe’s independence struggle have called for nationwide protests on March 31, demanding that Mnangagwa step down.

These veterans, though a dwindling group, remain a significant force in the country’s politics, having strong ties with the military and intelligence communities from their involvement in the liberation struggle.

Sanyatwe, who played a pivotal role in the 2017 coup and oversaw the violent suppression of protests in 2018, has been appointed as the new sports minister, replacing Kirsty Coventry, the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee.

This reshuffle is seen as a way for Mnangagwa to ease tensions within his political circle and prevent a potential coup from his rival, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who was a key figure in the 2017 military takeover.