HARARE, March 26 – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has removed Zimbabwe’s army chief, Anselem Sanyatwe, in what analysts see as a strategic move to strengthen his grip on power amid rising tensions within his ruling party.
The dismissal comes days before planned nationwide protests on March 31, organized by war veterans who accuse Mnangagwa of mismanaging the economy and attempting to extend his rule beyond 2028. The former liberation fighters, once loyal to ZANU-PF, are now calling for his resignation and pushing for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to take over.
Mnangagwa, who took office in 2017 after a military coup ousted Robert Mugabe, has been reshuffling key security positions in recent months. Sanyatwe’s removal follows earlier dismissals of Zimbabwe’s police chief and intelligence director, signaling growing unease within the government.
During a ZANU-PF meeting in Harare on Wednesday, Mnangagwa dismissed concerns about internal dissent, warning against those “who want to disturb our peace.” However, political observers suggest his recent actions indicate fears of a potential coup from within the security ranks.
Sanyatwe, known for his close ties to Chiwenga, played a critical role in the 2017 coup and later commanded troops involved in the deadly crackdown on post-election protests in 2018. His reassignment as sports minister follows the departure of Kirsty Coventry, who was recently elected to a top position at the International Olympic Committee.
