Zimbabwean President Emerson Mnangagwa has appointed a new Army chief ahead of the planned protests on Monday by a group of war veterans who want to force the president to resign.
Former Major Emmanuel Matatsu takes over immediately.
President Mnangagwa has resigned from citing mismanagement and corruption, facing calls from his former supporters.
Earlier this week, Mnangagwa suddenly retired Army Chief Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe and appointed Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture.
According to political scientist Eldred Masnungur, Matatsu, the home of Mnangagwa’s midlands, is reportedly 72 years old, but his profile and age strongly suggest that he was appointed to warm his chair during a volatile transition.
“He is the fourth commander of the Zimbabwean Army since Mnangagwa took over eight years ago,” he told the BBC, adding that he “has been talking about the volatile party forces relations.”
General Matatsu was a veteran of the liberation war in the 1970s, and this remains a major factor in Zimbabwean politics.
He trained in Zambia as a member of the Zimbabwe People’s Republic of Zimbabwe (ZIPRA).
General Matatu is considered the loyalty of Philip Valerio Sibanda, the current director of the Zimbabwean Defense Forces (ZDF).
General Shibanda may have integrated the military control suitable for President Mnangagwa and made him feel safer as he trusts the current ZDF commander.
The ZDF was previously led by a man who is now Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
The war veteran faction calling for Monday’s protest is calling for Chiwenga to take over the presidency.
Due to his ruthless reputation, Emerson Mnangagwa goes under the nickname “Crocodile.”
He became president in 2017 after a coup against longtime leader Robert Mugabe and is currently serving in his second final term, which expires in 2028.
Troubles began to foster during the Zanu-PF Governance Party rally last year after reports that Mnangagwa wanted to extend his tenure.
Despite recent assurances from Mnangagwa that he intends to resign in three years, many remain unconvinced.
Criticism of his leadership from within the party and accusations that he intended to reinforce memories that evoked the triggered memories of the coup that defeated Mugabe.
It is not clear how much public support the veterans receive for the planned protests, but the security minister has warned Zimbabweans to take part in the demonstrations.
Police have announced a four-day ban on the capital by carrying weapons or means that can be used to induce violence.
