Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dismissed a senior military general, a move analysts see as an effort to consolidate power amid growing fears of a potential coup. The removal of Anselem Sanyatwe, the country’s second most powerful general and head of the army, comes ahead of planned nationwide protests by war veterans demanding Mnangagwa’s resignation.
Mnangagwa, who rose to power following the military coup that ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe in 2017, is facing increasing dissent within his ruling ZANU-PF party. Some members, including veterans of the country’s liberation struggle, accuse him of worsening Zimbabwe’s economic crisis and allegedly plotting to extend his rule beyond 2028, when his second term is set to end.
The war veterans, despite their dwindling numbers and advancing age, remain an influential force in Zimbabwean politics. They have called for mass demonstrations on March 31 to pressure Mnangagwa to step down, favoring Vice President Constantino Chiwenga as his replacement. Chiwenga, a retired general, played a central role in the 2017 coup that brought Mnangagwa to power.
Political analysts suggest that Mnangagwa is increasingly concerned about his hold on power and has been strategically reshuffling key positions in the military, police, and intelligence services to safeguard his position. The dismissal of Sanyatwe marks the third major security leadership change in recent months, following the removal of the country’s police chief and intelligence head.
Speaking at a ZANU-PF meeting in Harare on Wednesday, Mnangagwa issued a stern warning against those “who want to disturb our peace.” His administration has taken a hardline stance against opposition protests in the past, often deploying security forces to suppress demonstrations.
Sanyatwe, a close ally of Chiwenga, previously served as head of the presidential guard under Mugabe and was instrumental in the 2017 coup. He also oversaw the military deployment during post-election unrest in August 2018, where soldiers shot dead six civilians. Following his dismissal as army chief, Sanyatwe has been reassigned as Zimbabwe’s sports minister, replacing Kirsty Coventry, who was recently elected president of the International Olympic Committee.
With political tensions rising, Mnangagwa’s moves to consolidate control signal heightened instability within the ruling party. As Zimbabwe braces for the upcoming protests, the country’s political future remains uncertain.
