By Marshall Bwanya
Harare – President Emmerson Mnangagwa abruptly cancelled his trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, ordering advance officials, aides, and state journalists already in the U.S. to return home.
Mnangagwa’s unprecedented move to snub UNGA’s 79th session comes in the aftermath of growing tensions within Zanu PF which have reached fever pitch.
Tensions within the military-backed ruling party, Zanu PF, have intensified due to the ambitious efforts of Mnangagwa loyalists to extend the incumbent’s second and final term to 2030, a move that is being staunchly opposed by supporters of his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga.
This push has deepened divisions within the party and angered Chiwenga’s supporters, who view him as Mnangagwa’s likely successor when the president’s term ends in 2028.
The situation has escalated further following last week’s helicopter accident during Mnangagwa’s 82nd birthday celebrations in Masvingo, dubbed Munhumutapa Day.
Inside sources described Mnangagwa’s recent birthday celebration as an endorsement of his desire for an extended reign, while opposing factions referred to it as “crossing the Rubicon.”
They warned that a confrontation is inevitable if tensions continue to escalate without diplomatic intervention.
A recent Financial Gazette birthday message advert from the defence ministry, which wished Mnangagwa to “Rest in Peace” has also ended fuel to the tension with some Mnangagwa loyalists interpreting it as a deliberate subtle message threatening the incumbent not to extend his term to 2030.
Mnangagwa escaped an assassination attempt in 2018 when a bomb exploded at White City Stadium, and some in his circle believe last week’s aircraft disaster, despite the fact that he was not onboard, was no accident.
In July of this year, when Mnangagwa was returning from a trip to Mozambique aboard an Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737, his pilots were allegedly targeted with ground lasers as they approached Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
These incidents have sparked conspiracy suspicions that some forces within the system are attempting to oust the incumbent.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, addressing enquirers why Mnangagwa snubbed the UNGA attributed the incumbent’s busy schedule which he described as a “dense programme.”
Charamba said Mnangagwa’s statement will be delivered by foreign affairs minister Frederick Shava.
“In light of a dense programme in the last quarter of 2024, His Excellency the President, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, will not attend this year’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA.
“His Statement will be delivered by Hon. F.M. Shava, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade who is already in New York for the Assembly,” said Charamba.
With political tensions within Zanu PF seemingly growing more fraught, sources warn that the country may be approaching a significant crisis if diplomatic discussions fail to alleviate these tensions.