Country in Limbo: Newsman’s Prognosis of Zimbabwe’s Future

Zimbabwe’s situation today is confused

Country in Limbo: Newsman’s Prognosis of Zimbabwe’s Future

By Bassey Godwin

It’s pretty difficult and funny to say what might become of Zimbabwe in the nearest future. Even Zimbabweans, both the man on the street and the elite do not know. The only thing Zimbabweans are aware of, and grateful about is that ‘the despot is out’.

But, is the despot truly out? For how long will he be gone? Is the Crocodile or the Gucci taking Mugabe’s place? Or will General Constantino Chiwenga take charge completely. These are tacky questions that beg for answers.

This is the situation now: Zimbabwe is in limbo. The army has not taken full control of the government. Robert Mugabe, the ‘president’ who under house arrest is insisting that he remains Zimbabwe’s only legitimate ruler. The ‘ousted’ Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, known as the Crocodile, is in exile, gathering support from Africa and the West. The Gucci, Grace Mugabe’s whereabouts is unknown, she is said to be hiding somewhere, probably in Namibia.

Although Zimbabwe’s atmosphere is calm, even calmer now, there is thick uncertainly in the air about the future of the country.

However, Zimbabwe’s political indices have not suggested that the army will take over completely. The military might only want to threaten the Mugabe hegemony, bring Mnangagwa back to Zimbabwe and restore peace and calmness in the troubled country ahead of Zimbabwe’s election next year.

First, Zimbabwe is aware of the position of the African Union (AU) on coup and military takeover. An attempt on coup will end them a sack from the continental body. This may be why the military did not want to call their action, a coup, and to a large extent, that is why coup may not happen. Military rule is getting progressively out of fashion in Africa.

Second, it is likely that the military may have truck on the invitation of the ruling party, and may go away when their job has been done. The ruling party, Zimbabwe African National Union Progressive Front (ZANU-PF) is fully in support of the military action. It tweeted that “@zanu_pf handle. “Neither Zimbabwe nor ZANU are owned by Mugabe and his wife. Today begins a fresh new era and comrade Mnangagwa will help us achieve a better Zimbabwe”

Third, the ouster of the Crocodile, who is said to be close to Zimbabwe’s military authority is the immediate cause of the problem in Zimbabwe. The military is reported to be sympathetic of the Crocodile. There is a likelihood that the military may not like to usurp the power evidently due to Mnangagwa.

Newsman believes that the military action will enable Mnangagwa come back to Zimbabwe soon. Mugabe’s flag might continue to fly on a half-mast until the next year election, where possibly, Mnangagwa may win Grace Gucci Mugabe.