Political instability in Zimbabwe has surged as a faction of the ruling ZANU-PF party presses for President Emmerson Mnangagwa's resignation. Spearheaded by Blessed Geza, a war veteran, protests were planned but yielded minimal participation due to heavy police presence. Skepticism surrounds Mnangagwa's pledge to step down in 2028, especially following a resolution for him to potentially seek a third term. Accusations of corruption and economic mismanagement intensify calls for change, with calls for Vice-President Constantine Chiwenga as a potential successor gaining traction, yet he remains silent on these demands.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing political instability in the last month. A faction of the ruling ZANU-PF party has called for the the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa in light of a reported plan that he would extend his final term after its official end in 2028. Blessed Geza, a veteran of the 1970s war of liberation and former senior member of Mnangagwa's ZANU-PF party, has been leading the verbal attack on the president and called for protests around the country to take place last Monday, March 31.
Despite the low turnout, Geza has continued to urge Zimbabweans 'not to be cowards' in his posts on social media, reflecting growing discontent within the ranks of the ruling party. The calls for protests signal a deeper rift in the ZANU-PF party, with some members pushing against the prospect of Mnangagwa’s extended rule.
The war veterans led by Geza accuse President Mnangagwa of corruption and feel he is responsible for the failing economy, highlighting the influence of independence war veterans in Zimbabwe's politics.
Mnangagwa became president in 2017 following a coup that overthrew long-time leader Robert Mugabe, with the background of distrust fostered by previous political upheavals complicating his leadership.
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