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Can Mnangagwa steer SADC through the storm?
6 hrs ago | Views
As Southern African leaders converge in Harare today to address the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), all eyes are on Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose leadership is now under intense scrutiny. With political turmoil simmering at home, many are questioning whether Mnangagwa is the right leader to guide the region through one of its most pressing crises.
Mnangagwa's political authority is increasingly being challenged by internal divisions within his own party, Zanu-PF. The power struggle between two key factions – one loyal to Mnangagwa and the other supporting Vice President Constantino Chiwenga – is causing deep rifts that have spilled into the public eye.
This week, the tensions reached a boiling point at the national shrine during the burial of national hero Justin Mupamhanga, where the two factions clashed openly. While Mnangagwa has pledged to step down in 2028, his silence on the calls from some party members for him to extend his presidency has raised questions about his ability to maintain control over his own party.
Obert Masaraure, a human rights defender and president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), was blunt in his criticism. "What is happening right now in Zanu-PF is a clear testimony of Emmerson Mnangagwa's failure to calm storms in his own party," Masaraure said. "How then can he manage to lead the region's response to the DRC conflict? He does not have the capacity."
While Mnangagwa struggles with political instability at home, the DRC conflict has become a regional powder keg. The situation in the DRC has been further exacerbated by growing tensions between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Ramaphosa has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in the DRC, while Kagame has fiercely denied the allegations, even threatening military confrontation with South Africa in the event of further escalation. The deaths of 13 South African soldiers in the DRC have only fueled the anger and distrust between the two leaders.
As these regional tensions mount, questions are arising about Mnangagwa's ability to lead a united Southern African response. "He is a man who creates problems but cannot solve them," Masaraure remarked, pointing to Mnangagwa's previous involvement in the conflict in Mozambique and his failure to address Zimbabwe's own economic and political challenges. "The DRC conflict is too much for him," he added, suggesting that South African leadership is more assertive in the matter.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's position on the DRC conflict remains unclear. Advocate Fadzayi Mahere took to social media, demanding that Information Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana clarify the government's stance on the escalating situation. Mahere questioned Zimbabwe's neutrality in the face of opposing positions taken by South Africa, Rwanda, and even Kenya.
"Whose side are we on?" Mahere asked. "Or are we neutral? Or, worse, are we indifferent?" Mangwana did not respond to Mahere's inquiry, leaving many to speculate about Zimbabwe's position in the complex diplomatic landscape.
Despite growing criticism, Zanu-PF communications director Farai Marapira came to Mnangagwa's defense, dismissing the accusations against him as misplaced. Marapira argued that critics were overlooking Zimbabwe's historical role in conflict resolution. "They have conveniently forgotten the role Zimbabwe played in the late 1990s," he said, emphasizing that under Mnangagwa's leadership, Zimbabwe and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are more than capable of handling the situation in the DRC.
As the leaders gather in Harare today, the question remains: Can President Mnangagwa effectively lead the region's response to the DRC conflict, or is his leadership too compromised by internal divisions and political instability? The outcome of the meeting may determine not only the future of Zimbabwe's political landscape but also the stability of the Southern African region in the face of growing regional tensions.
Mnangagwa's political authority is increasingly being challenged by internal divisions within his own party, Zanu-PF. The power struggle between two key factions – one loyal to Mnangagwa and the other supporting Vice President Constantino Chiwenga – is causing deep rifts that have spilled into the public eye.
This week, the tensions reached a boiling point at the national shrine during the burial of national hero Justin Mupamhanga, where the two factions clashed openly. While Mnangagwa has pledged to step down in 2028, his silence on the calls from some party members for him to extend his presidency has raised questions about his ability to maintain control over his own party.
Obert Masaraure, a human rights defender and president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), was blunt in his criticism. "What is happening right now in Zanu-PF is a clear testimony of Emmerson Mnangagwa's failure to calm storms in his own party," Masaraure said. "How then can he manage to lead the region's response to the DRC conflict? He does not have the capacity."
While Mnangagwa struggles with political instability at home, the DRC conflict has become a regional powder keg. The situation in the DRC has been further exacerbated by growing tensions between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Ramaphosa has accused Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in the DRC, while Kagame has fiercely denied the allegations, even threatening military confrontation with South Africa in the event of further escalation. The deaths of 13 South African soldiers in the DRC have only fueled the anger and distrust between the two leaders.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's position on the DRC conflict remains unclear. Advocate Fadzayi Mahere took to social media, demanding that Information Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana clarify the government's stance on the escalating situation. Mahere questioned Zimbabwe's neutrality in the face of opposing positions taken by South Africa, Rwanda, and even Kenya.
"Whose side are we on?" Mahere asked. "Or are we neutral? Or, worse, are we indifferent?" Mangwana did not respond to Mahere's inquiry, leaving many to speculate about Zimbabwe's position in the complex diplomatic landscape.
Despite growing criticism, Zanu-PF communications director Farai Marapira came to Mnangagwa's defense, dismissing the accusations against him as misplaced. Marapira argued that critics were overlooking Zimbabwe's historical role in conflict resolution. "They have conveniently forgotten the role Zimbabwe played in the late 1990s," he said, emphasizing that under Mnangagwa's leadership, Zimbabwe and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are more than capable of handling the situation in the DRC.
As the leaders gather in Harare today, the question remains: Can President Mnangagwa effectively lead the region's response to the DRC conflict, or is his leadership too compromised by internal divisions and political instability? The outcome of the meeting may determine not only the future of Zimbabwe's political landscape but also the stability of the Southern African region in the face of growing regional tensions.
Source - NewZimbabwe
