Independence Veterans Pressure Zimbabwean President To Resign

Police are on heightened alert and patrols in the country’s capital Harare and other cities this week, following calls by veterans for mass protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his plans to extend his term in office until 2030, Reuters reported.

More than 95 people were arrested at demonstrations Monday and Tuesday with the streets in Harare and other cities otherwise quiet as many businesses and schools closed their doors, and traffic fell to a handful of vehicles.

Authorities reportedly fired tear gas at protesters, who were chanting “We reject 2030” – referring to plans by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party to extend Mnangagwa’s presidential term.

The demonstrations were led by veterans of the country’s war of independence, which ended in 1979, with protest leaders calling on Zimbabweans “not to be cowards,” added the BBC.

Veterans remain influential in ZANU-PF and initially supported Mnangagwa, who came to power in 2017 following a coup that ousted his former mentor, the longtime dictator Robert Mugabe.

But veterans have grown resentful of the president and accused him of attempting to cling to power. In January, ZANU-PF said it wanted to extend the incumbent’s term in office by two years until 2030.

Meanwhile, some veterans want Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to replace Mnangagwa. Chiwenga has not made any public comments about such calls. Meanwhile, officials have denied rumors of a dispute between the vice president and president.

Mnangagwa – whose final five-year term expires in 2028 – has repeatedly denied plans to prolong his presidency, although veterans claim that he is pursuing an extension through proxies.

Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution limits presidents to two five-year terms.