Zimbabwe News

President Emmerson Mnangagwa Plotted Coup Against Mugabe for Years, Claims Former CIO

President Emmerson Mnangagwa Plotted Coup Against Mugabe for Years, Claims Former CIO.  A former senior officer in Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) has made explosive claims that current President Emmerson Mnangagwa had been plotting for years to oust his predecessor, Robert Mugabe.

These revelations paint a stark picture of the political maneuvering that ultimately led to Mugabe’s downfall in 2017, suggesting that Mnangagwa’s ascent to power was not merely a response to the country’s deteriorating situation but part of a long-term plan.

The former CIO operative, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons, claims that Emmerson Mnangagwa a key figure in Mugabe’s government for decades, had been laying the groundwork for a takeover well before the military intervention that ended Mugabe’s 37-year rule. The assertion challenges the popular narrative that the coup, which was widely hailed as a necessary intervention to save Zimbabwe from an increasingly authoritarian and ailing Mugabe, was a last-minute response to the nation’s political crisis.

The Road to Mugabe’s Fall

Robert Mugabe, who had been in power since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, was seen by many as an indomitable leader. However, by 2017, his grip on power had weakened, partly due to his advanced age and growing opposition within his own ZANU-PF party. His decision to position his wife, Grace Mugabe, as his likely successor further alienated key figures in the party, including Mnangagwa, who had long been viewed as Mugabe’s most loyal lieutenant and potential successor.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa Plotted Coup Against Mugabe

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

The former CIO officer claims that Emmerson Mnangagwa began plotting Mugabe’s downfall as early as the 2000s. According to these claims, Mnangagwa had become increasingly frustrated with Mugabe’s leadership, particularly as the country descended into economic chaos and political repression. However, he knew that any move against Mugabe would require careful planning and strong support from the military, which had always been a crucial pillar of Mugabe’s regime.

The ex-CIO officer suggests that Mnangagwa slowly built alliances within the military and intelligence services over the years, positioning himself as the logical successor to Mugabe while quietly eroding Mugabe’s support base. This gradual process involved building a network of loyalists who would eventually back him when the time was right to strike.

Military Involvement and the 2017 Coup

The turning point came in November 2017 when Mugabe dismissed Mnangagwa as vice president, a move widely seen as clearing the way for Grace Mugabe to succeed her husband. This decision angered Emmerson Mnangagwa’s supporters in both the military and the ruling ZANU-PF party, leading to a swift and decisive response.

The military, under the leadership of General Constantino Chiwenga, intervened days after Emmerson Mnangagwa’s dismissal, placing Mugabe under house arrest and forcing him to resign. While the military insisted that this was not a coup, it was clear that Mnangagwa had the backing of the armed forces. He returned to Zimbabwe shortly after and was inaugurated as president, marking the end of Mugabe’s reign.

At the time, many observers believed that the coup had been a reaction to Mugabe’s erratic leadership and his wife’s growing influence. However, the ex-CIO officer’s claims suggest that the military intervention was the culmination of years of careful planning by Emmerson Mnangagwa and his allies. According to these revelations, the seeds of Mugabe’s downfall were sown long before 2017, with Mnangagwa working behind the scenes to orchestrate a smooth transition of power in his favor.

Implications for Mnangagwa’s Legacy

These new allegations could significantly impact the way Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rise to power is viewed both within Zimbabwe and internationally. While many Zimbabweans initially celebrated the fall of Mugabe, hoping for a new era of political and economic reform, Mnangagwa’s government has faced its own challenges, including accusations of continued human rights abuses and economic mismanagement.

If Mnangagwa did, in fact, plot Mugabe’s removal for years, it raises questions about his true motivations and his commitment to democratic principles. His administration has been criticized for maintaining many of the same repressive tactics used during Mugabe’s rule, including crackdowns on opposition figures and activists.

The ex-CIO officer’s claims also highlight the role of Zimbabwe’s military in politics, suggesting that the 2017 coup was not simply an act of desperation but a carefully calculated move to protect the interests of the ruling elite. The military’s involvement in politics has long been a controversial issue in Zimbabwe, and these revelations may further fuel concerns about the continued influence of the armed forces in shaping the country’s future.

Looking Ahead

As Zimbabwe continues to grapple with economic hardships and political uncertainty, the revelations about Mnangagwa’s alleged long-term plotting against Mugabe add a new layer of complexity to the country’s already fraught political landscape. For Emmerson Mnangagwa, these claims could pose a serious challenge to his credibility, particularly if more details emerge to substantiate the former CIO officer’s account.

The former operative’s allegations suggest that Zimbabwe’s political future may remain heavily influenced by the same figures and institutions that have dominated the country for decades. While Mugabe is gone, the legacy of his rule, and the maneuvering that led to his downfall, continue to shape the nation’s path forward under Emmerson Mnangagwas leadership.

Whether these revelations will lead to further scrutiny of Mnangagwa’s presidency or spark renewed calls for reform remains to be seen. For now, the ex-CIO officer’s claims offer a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes power struggles that have defined Zimbabwe’s recent history, suggesting that the forces driving Mugabe’s ouster were in motion long before the world realized.

In other news – Nelson Chamisa’s Missed Political Opportunity: What Went Wrong

Nelson Chamisa, the leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has been a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape for years. Often seen as a beacon of hope for change, especially by the younger generation, Nelson Chamisa has led a determined fight against the long-standing rule of ZANU-PF. However, recent developments suggest that Nelson Chamisa may have missed a significant political opportunity that could have changed the course of Zimbabwean politics. His failure to seize the moment raises questions about his strategy, leadership, and future prospects.

Nelson Chamisa

Zimbabwe’s political environment has long been dominated by ZANU-PF, the party that has ruled the country since independence in 1980. Read more

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