Emmerson Mnangagwa: This man will be Zimbabwe's President within the next 24 hours

shakirudeen taiwo

November 21, 2017 11:29 PM

Mnangagwa is 75 years old and a former vice-President of the country.

The former vice-president of Zimbabwe, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to be sworn in as the second president of the country since its independence in 1980.

According to Reuters, Mnangagwa will become Zimbabwe’s president and the swearing-in ceremony is expected to hold either on Wednesday or Thursday (November 22 or 23, 2017).

ZANU-PF's Chief Whip, Lovemore Matuke also confirmed this information, and stated that Mnangagwa will serve the remainder of Mugabe’s term until the next general elections, which is scheduled to hold by September 2018.

Mnangagwa was sacked by Mugabe on November 8, 2017 as the country's vice President. He later fled the southern African country claiming a threat to his life. This move triggered a military action, and the army seized power. It is this process that led to the resignation of Mugabe on Tuesday, November 22.

Also Read: Zimbabwe crisis: Robert Mugabe is reportedly under house arrest after a military coup

On Sunday, November 20, 2017, Mr Mugabe was replaced with Mnangagwa as the Chairman of the ruling ZANU-PF by the party's congress. This move consolidates the military support for Mnangagwa, and re-enforced his choice as the right man to succeed Mr Mugabe.

Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa?

Emmerson Mnangagwa was the first Vice President of Zimbabwe since 2014 and was sacked from the position by Mugabe on Monday, November 6, 2017.

Mnangagwa was the more prominent of the country's two vice presidents and had been part of Mugabe's cabinet since independence.

Also Read: Emmerson Mnangagwa - Meet the man who may be the next President of Zimbabwe

He was the country’s former minister of defence, before becoming the vice president. Thus, he enjoyed a strong support from military generals and war veterans.

He is generally viewed as a ruthless man, due to his role in stabilizing the reign of Mugabe in the early 1980s as the country’s Minister of state security.

shakirudeen taiwo

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