MNANGAGWA EXTENDS SIBANDA’S TERM TO BLOCK CHIWENGA AND STAY IN POWER

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended the term of General Philip Valerio Sibanda, the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, by another year. While this may seem like a routine military appointment, it is far from it. This move is a calculated strategy by Mnangagwa to hold onto power, protect himself from internal rivals, and secure the loyalty of the military.

The extension, officially announced by Martin Rushwaya, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, confirms that Sibanda will stay in his powerful post until 23 November 2025. The government says it is a normal extension under the Defence Act. But in reality, it is a signal that Mnangagwa is gearing up for a fight—one that could determine his political future.

Mnangagwa is under pressure. Since taking power through a military coup in 2017, he has relied heavily on Sibanda for protection. In 2019, when Mnangagwa was outside the country, there were whispers of a possible coup. It was Sibanda who stood firm and helped keep Mnangagwa in power. That loyalty has earned him a central role in the president’s survival plan.

The biggest threat Mnangagwa faces now is from his own deputy, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. Once allies during the 2017 coup, the two are now locked in a fierce power struggle. Chiwenga still has strong ties to the military and is believed to be planning to take over when Mnangagwa’s term ends. Mnangagwa knows this—and he is taking steps to block it.

By keeping Sibanda in power, Mnangagwa is building a wall around himself. He knows that without the military, he cannot rule. The extension of Sibanda’s term is not just about military leadership—it’s about political survival. Mnangagwa wants to stay in power until 2030, even though the Constitution says he must leave in 2028. That plan will only work if he keeps the army on his side.

This move also sends a message to Chiwenga: “I still control the army.” It is a power play designed to stop any moves by the vice-president and his loyalists. Chiwenga has a strong base in the party and the army, and Mnangagwa is doing everything he can to weaken that base.

War veterans and other factions within ZANU PF have already turned against Mnangagwa. They say he has failed the country and must go. Chiwenga’s support is growing quietly in the background. Mnangagwa is trying to stay one step ahead by tightening his grip on key institutions, especially the military.

But this could also backfire. The more Mnangagwa tries to hold on to power, the more his rivals may become aggressive. Extending Sibanda’s term could push Chiwenga and his allies to act sooner. Zimbabwe’s history has shown that political battles often end in sudden and dramatic ways.

The extension also reveals the fragile nature of Mnangagwa’s leadership. He does not trust his party, his vice-president, or the system. He trusts the military—and specifically, Sibanda. That trust may keep him in office for now, but it also shows how weak his position has become.

Zimbabweans are watching closely. The next few years will be critical. With elections coming in 2028 and Mnangagwa refusing to let go, the country could be heading toward another political showdown.

Mnangagwa’s strategy is clear: keep Sibanda close, block Chiwenga, and hold onto power by any means necessary. But in Zimbabwe’s unpredictable political climate, anything can happen.