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Emmerson Mnangagwa: The Rise to Power in Zimbabwe

Enrique Blair

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Published in In The Jaws Of The Crocodile: Emmerson Mnangagwa S Rise To Power In Zimbabwe

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Emmerson Mnangagwa is a Zimbabwean politician who has served as President of Zimbabwe since 2017. He is a former member of the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and served as Vice President of Zimbabwe under President Robert Mugabe from 2014 to 2017.

Mnangagwa's journey to the presidency is a tale of ambition, intrigue, and political maneuvering. He has been a key figure in Zimbabwean politics for over four decades, and his rise to power has been marked by both controversy and accomplishment.

In the Jaws of the Crocodile: Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Rise to Power in Zimbabwe

by Svetlana Alexievich

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Early Life and Education

Mnangagwa was born on 15 September 1946 in the village of Mapanzure in the Midlands Province of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). He was the youngest of nine children in a poor family. His father was a farmer and his mother was a housewife.

Mnangagwa attended local schools before moving to Zambia in 1963 to join the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA),the military wing of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). He received military training in Tanzania and China, and rose through the ranks of ZANLA, becoming a commander during the Rhodesian Bush War.

Political Career

After the end of the Rhodesian Bush War in 1980, Mnangagwa returned to Zimbabwe and joined ZANU-PF, the ruling party. He was elected to Parliament in 1985 and served in various ministerial positions, including Minister of State Security and Minister of Justice.

In 2014, Mnangagwa was appointed Vice President of Zimbabwe by President Mugabe. He was seen as a potential successor to Mugabe, but his ambitions were thwarted by Mugabe's wife, Grace, who was determined to have her own husband succeed him.

Operation Restore Legacy

In November 2017, Mnangagwa was fired from his position as Vice President by Mugabe. This sparked a military intervention known as Operation Restore Legacy, which resulted in Mugabe's resignation and Mnangagwa's assumption of the presidency.

Operation Restore Legacy was a controversial event, and there is still debate about the extent to which Mnangagwa was involved in planning or orchestrating it. However, it is clear that he benefited from the military's intervention, and his rise to power was largely due to their support.

Presidency

Mnangagwa has been President of Zimbabwe since 2017. He has pledged to reform the country's economy and to improve its human rights record. However, his presidency has been marked by continued economic challenges and by a crackdown on dissent.

In 2018, Mnangagwa was elected to a full term as President. He received 50.8% of the vote, defeating his main rival, Nelson Chamisa of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Assessment

Emmerson Mnangagwa is a complex and controversial figure. He has been a key player in Zimbabwean politics for over four decades, and his rise to power has been marked by both ambition and intrigue.

Mnangagwa's presidency has been a mixed bag. He has made some progress on economic reform, but the country continues to face serious challenges. His human rights record is also mixed, with some improvements being offset by continued crackdowns on dissent.

Ultimately, Mnangagwa's legacy will be judged by his ability to deliver on his promises to improve the lives of Zimbabweans. Only time will tell if he will be able to meet the challenges facing his country and lead Zimbabwe into a new era of prosperity and stability.

Emmerson Mnangagwa's rise to power in Zimbabwe is a story of ambition, intrigue, and political maneuvering. He is a complex and controversial figure who has played a key role in Zimbabwean politics for over four decades. His presidency has been a mixed bag, with some progress on economic reform being offset by continued crackdowns on dissent. Only time will tell if he will be able to meet the challenges facing his country and lead Zimbabwe into a new era of prosperity and stability.

In the Jaws of the Crocodile: Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Rise to Power in Zimbabwe

by Svetlana Alexievich

4.3 out of 5