Zimbabwean Civil War (The More Things Changed)

The Zimbabwean Civil War is an ongoing conflict involving protests and confrontations in the Republic of Zimbabwe, against the administration of President Grace Mugabe.

It is part of the series of Zimbabwean political crises, ongoing since 2008.

Background
By 2017, Zimbabwe had endured years of civil unrest, poverty, and political repression. Following the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe and the adoption of the 2011 Constitution, Vice-President Joice Mujuru became President. Her administration was short lived, however, and she was succeeded as President by former First Lady Grace Mugabe in 2013.

During the administration of Grace Mugabe, she has seized several foreign-owned businesses and strained relations with South Africa, through building up barriers on the border between the two countries, as well as a diplomatic incident where she allegedly beat a South African model with an extension cord. During her administration and her time as First Lady, her opponents took to calling her "Gucci Grace", on account of her expensive shopping habits.

Cabinet Purge and Reshuffling
On November 6th, 2017, President Mugabe dismissed First Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa from both his post in the administration and in the ZANU-PF on accusations that he was plotting to topple the President from power. Mnangagwa has since fled to Pretoria, South Africa.

Constantino Chiwenga, head of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF), threatened to intervene if the ZANU-PF "shenanigans" were not sorted out. ZANU-PF, in a press release, accused Chiwenga of "treasonable conduct." Chiwenga has since been in exile in Beijing.

Their dismissal was condemned by much of the ZANU-PF party establishment, who saw it as further proof that the Mugabe family was interested more in creating a familial dynasty than in preserving the party or the country; on October 30th, President Mugabe's son-in-law, Simba Chikore, was appointed Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development, and appeared to be groomed as a potential successor.

Mnangagwa Cabinet


Once in South Africa, Mnangagwa issued a press release addressing the Mugabe regime, stating:

"'I will go nowhere. I will fight tooth and nail against those making a mockery against Zanu PF founding principles, ethos and values. You and your cohorts will instead leave.'"

The faction of the ZANU-PF loyal to Mnangagwa has declared him the legitimate President of Zimbabwe; he has since built his own cabinet in Pretoria. As of December 2017, Paul Chikawa, the former Ambassador to China, has been appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Kembo Mohadi has been selected for Minister of Defence, Security, and War Veterans.

Zimbabwean Revolutionary Liberation Council
In Beijing, Constantino Chiwenga has formed the Zimbabwean Revolutionary Liberation Council, supported by the Chinese government. In Zimbabwe itself, Lt. General Sibusiso Moyo has taken charge of ground forces of the ZRLC.

November 14 to December 7
On November 14th, military action commenced as armored personnel carriers on major thoroughfares on the outskirts Harare, as reported by Reuters. However, fighting in the capital was brief, as the ZRLC was unable to establish a foothold in the city.

In the following two weeks, however, the ZRLC was able to secure much of Matabeleland - Bulawayo, the country's second-largest city, was the site of heavy fighting.

International Reactions
{{legend|#FEF604|Zimbabwe}} {{legend|#AA0005|Countries reaffirming their support of Grace Mugabe}} {{legend|#212088|Countries recognizing the Mnangagwa Cabinet and ZRLC as the legitimate government of Zimbabwe}} {{legend|#5599FE|Countries recognizing the Mnangagwa Cabinet and ZRLC as partners in dialogue}}

South Africa
On November 15th, South African President Jacob Zuma spoke to Grace Mugabe, and stated that she was "fine." Zuma sent the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the Minister of State Security, Advocate Bongani Bongo, to Zimbabwe to meet with both President Mugabe and the ZRLC.

In the same announcement, Zuma stated that Mnangagwa and the ZRLC would be treated as partners in dialogue, but that the Mugabe administration was the legal government of Zimbabwe.

Botswana
In an open letter to President Mugabe, President Ian Khama of Bostwana wrote:

"'The people of Zimbabwe have for a long time been subjected to untold suffering as a result of poor governance under your family's leadership. It is therefore my conviction that by vacating the presidency, this will usher in a new political dispensation that will pave the way for the much needed socio-economic recovery in Zimbabwe.”"

Khama further met with Mnangagwa in Gaborone, stating that he would recognize him as the legitimate President of Zimbabwe.

China
China has emerged as the leading power supporting Mnangagwa and the ZRLC, while Constantino Chiwenga remains in exile in the country.

In a statement on November 15th, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Geng Shuang, said China was "playing close attention" to the situation, further stating:

"'As a friendly country to Zimbabwe, we are closely following the situation unfolding in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s peace, stability, and development serve the fundamental interests of the country itself and other regional countries. It is also the common wish of the international community. The development path chosen by the Zimbabwean people lies with Emmerson Mnangagwa.”"