What's going on with Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe has a new leader after a long period of 37 years. Emmerson Mnanggawa was sworn in on November 24th 2017, becoming the second president since declaring independence in 1980.

The former president surrendered immediately after the army took to the streets of the country's capital.

Consider first the old president, Mugaben. Robert Muganbe grew up in Southern Rhodesia, a British self - government colony later called Zimbabwe. He grew up as the Indians were fighting for independence from the common colonists, the British. As a youth, Mugabe was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, even at the same university as South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. That's why he decided to get into politics.

After spending several years working as teachers in other countries, he returned to Southern Rhodesia in 1960 to join the nationalist African movement. After dividing the streets with that group, Mugabe created his political party, called the National African Union of Zimbabwe, the Patriotic Front, better known as ZANU eyPF.

He had been arrested along with several political allies in 1963. Mugabe spent 11 years behind bars but continued to communicate with members of his party while he was in prison. After his release and after the peace reached with the British in 1979 that established the independence of the state of Zimbabwe, Mugabe won the national elections by becoming the country's first president.

But while he was very popular, he began to give himself more power and changed the constitution, making himself the executive <x0) president” in 1988, which led to his 37-year rule. But things reached a point where it was no longer enduring after Mugabe removed it from the post of vice-president Emmerson Manangawa on November 6th of 2017.

This marked a turning point in the popular opinion in Zimbabwe because citizens saw this movement as a way for 93-year-old to pave the way for his wife, known as “Gucci Grace” to become president after his death. The move by Mugabes angered not only tens of thousands of people but also members of his party and army. This led to military intervention.

They fired tanks on the streets of Harare on November 14th, taking over government buildings, state television channels, and even arrested Mugaben, forcing him to resign.

And while some celebrated the departure of the man who mostly remained in power as a victory for democracy, the man who was published as the new president was his former deputy, who served him for years. The new president, Mnangagwa, is undoubtedly a different party candidate Zanu- PF. Mnangagwa, whose nickname is "chrocodil," the cause of his ruthless reputation and the involvement in some of the worst atrocities that have occurred in Zimbabwe's history. Especially after political measures against opponents during the 1980 ' s, leaving thousands dead. And while Mnangagwa was sworn in as president to serve until new national elections were held at the beginning of 2018, only time will tell whether opposition voices will be given a proper platform to run against his party, or whether Mnanggawa will continue his reputation as brutal leader.

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