Mugabe leaves new VP in charge as he goes on holiday
Zimbabwe's new Vice President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is congratulated on December 10, 2014 in Harare after his appointment. He will be in charge of the country as Mugabe goes for his annual holiday. AFP PHOTO | JEKESAI NJIKIZANA
What you need to know:
- The move comes after months of political upheaval in Zimbabwe over the succession to 90-year-old Mugabe.
- Mnangagwa, a long-time ally of Mugabe who doubles as Zimbabwe’s Justice Minister, was sworn in as vice-president last Friday.
- Nicknamed “Ngwena” (the crocodile) and renowned for his stern demeanour and tough talk, Mnangagwa has held various senior posts in the country.
- Mnangagwa also helped Mugabe hold on to power during the 2008 elections, which the opposition won in the first round.
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has left newly installed Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa in charge as he began his annual holiday, state radio announced Monday.
The move comes after months of political upheaval in Zimbabwe over who would succeed the 90-year-old Mugabe.
“President Robert Mugabe left Harare yesterday for his annual holiday in the Far East,” Spot FM radio reported.
“The president is expected back in Zimbabwe in mid-January. In his absence Vice President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is the acting president.”
Mnangagwa, a long-time ally of Mugabe who doubles as Zimbabwe’s Justice Minister, was sworn in as vice president last Friday, putting him firmly in line to succeed the veteran ruler.
Mnangagwa replaced former vice president and presidential hopeful Joice Mujuru, who was accused of plotting to topple Mugabe in a sustained campaign of attacks by Mugabe’s wife, Grace.
Nicknamed “Ngwena” (the crocodile) and renowned for his stern demeanour and tough talk, Mnangagwa has held various senior posts in the country’s defence and internal security apparatus.
He played a critical role in Mugabe’s crackdown against opposition supporters that claimed thousands of lives in the 1980s, and which became internationally known as “Gukurahundi”.
Mnangagwa also helped Mugabe hold on to power during the 2008 elections, which the opposition won in the first round, but which were boycotted in the second round because of widespread intimidation and violence.
