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African journalism. August 8 2020 ISSUE
NO. 15
The Continent
with
EXCLUSIVE
Are American
commandos
operating in
your country?
Photo: AFRICOM
The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 2
Inside: Breaking the
COVER STORY: Inside the
secret world of US
language barrier
commandos in Africa (p20) This week, The Continent is publishing
Cameroon: Why are all the our first story in a language that
tomatoes rotting on the is not a colonial import. We’ve
vine? (p8) translated Ranga Mberi’s powerful
essay on Hopewell Chin’ono’s
Mutapi wenhau akasungwa
imprisonment into Shona, to make it
anoratidza kuora moyo kwaita more accessible for our Zimbabwean
Zimbabwe (p12) audience. (Ndebele speakers, we
Jailed journalist is a symbol of haven’t forgotten about you – we’re
a disillusioned Zimbabwe (p16) working on it, promise!) Expect to see
Investigation: How dodgy arms more languages reflected in these
dealers skimmed $137-million pages in the coming months.
from Niger’s budget (p29)
Putting the con in consequences: Ace Magashule, secretary-general of South
Africa’s ruling African National Congress party, has been criticised for failing to
take action against party members implicated in Covid-related corruption.
The Continent
ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Continental Drift Page 3
In the headlines this week
Samira Sawlani
Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea
Uganda’s ruling party has endorsed
President Yoweri Museveni as its
candidate for next year’s election. Should
he win, this would be the 75-year-old’s
sixth term.
Meanwhile, the prez has released a
workout video in which he drops for no
fewer than 40 push-ups. While he may
not want to step down, he does seem
keen to get down. And if that doesn’t see
him re-elected, he can always just blame
it on the boogie.
Over in Guinea, the ruling party has
called on President Alpha Condé to seek
the burden of power for a third time.
Ever so coy, Condé has “taken note” of
their wishes. Far be it for him to deny his
Fit for office: A screengrab from
country a presidential hat trick, right?
President Museveni’s latest home
Which brings us to Côte d’Ivoire.
exercise video
Following the death of Amadou Gon
Coulibaly, prime minister and the with the modesty and grace expected of
president’s designated successor, debate a foregone conclusion.
has raged over who could fill his shoes. It is said imitation is the best form
After much soul-searching, beard- of flattery. If truly that is the case then
stroking and back-scratching, the all that is left to determine is whether
ruling RHDP party has decided the Condé, Ouattara and Museveni are
man to replace the man meant to imitating each other – or just flattering
replace President Alassane Ouattara is themselves.
none other than…President Alassane
Ouattara. Chad
Ouattara had no option but to accept, If you’re a switched-on government,
The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 4
social media can be like a flattery battery. was trending.
All those likes and faves, charging you Perhaps Zimbabwe’s move isn’t so
up. But then the trolls descend, with their much a flattering imitation of other
draining demands for “accountability” countries as it is a simple copy & paste.
and “human rights”. It can really get you “Control+C” and “Control+V” are
down! handy shortcuts, after all. But maybe
The only thing to do is take a break it’s about time that President Emerson
for a while, flick that internet off-switch, Mnangagwa tries hitting “Control+Z”.
and delete social media. From the entire
country. Somalia
Ethiopia, Mali and Somalia have Before getting too bleak about our
all made forays into state-sponsored continent’s lack of originality, we should
serenity this year, but nobody shuts it take a moment for our own mental
all down like Chad’s President Idriss health, and recall that genuinely positive
Déby who last year emerged from his actions can be emulated and paid
country’s 16-month internet shutdown forward, too.
looking positively rejuvenated. So let us remember Dr Hawa Abdi
In fact, his government just Dhiblawe, the Somali human rights
announced another internet slowdown activist and Nobel peace prize nominee
to curb “hate speech”. Haters are gonna who sadly passed away this week.
hate, but must they do it while the Among her many achievements, Mama
president is trying to relax? Hawa provided healthcare, education
and shelter for thousands of women in
Tanzania and Zimbabwe Somalia through her foundation.
Other nations prefer a bureaucratic With her life and work as inspiration,
approach. Tanzania, for example, is let our aspiration be to leave the world
ordering bloggers and online publishers healthier, happier, safer and freer than
to apply for a licence to operate. Even we found it. ■
then, they can’t post calls for protests,
“content that causes annoyance” or
information about contagious diseases,
without approval.
Not to be left out, Zimbabwe is
seeking inner peace by asserting new
Legacy:
boundaries. According to the minister
The auto-
of women’s affairs, Sithembiso Nyoni, biography of
the government wants to criminalise the late Dr
“campaigning against one’s country”. Hawa Abdi
Funnily enough, her announcement was published
came just as #zimbabweanlivesmatter in 2013
The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 5
The Week in Numbers
6
The number of
Togolese opposition
activists whose
mobile phones were
targeted by spyware.
Targets included
the president of the
Togolese Bishops’
Conference, Benoit
Alowonou. Although
(Photo: Andrew White/Parkwood Entertainment) it’s not clear who is
behind the hack, a
50 spokesperson for the
The number of African countries in which it is opposition coalition
possible to stream (via DStv) Beyonce’s new said “we are in a
visual album, Black is King, contrary to social police state that
media speculation. The album is supposed to uses and abuses
be a celebration of black history and African espionage against its
traditions. own citizens”.
10 $2 million 3
The number of African The value of a 2kg The number of
countries that between tanzanite gemstone Cabinet ministers
them account for 80% discovered by Saninu in the Gambia who
of all Covid-19 testing Laizer, an artisanal have recently tested
taking place on the miner in Tanzania. This positive for Covid-19
continent. South Africa, is the third gemstone – just days after
Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, valued at more than President Adama
Morocco, Kenya, $1 million that Laizer Barrow went into
Ethiopia, Rwanda, has found in the last self-isolation. Vice
Uganda and Mauritius month. How did he get President Isatou
have all conducted more so lucky? We’re not sure Touray has also
than 200,000 tests, – but we’ll try to send a tested positive for
according to Africa CDC. reporter to find out. the virus.
datadesk
Datadesk, the M&G centre for data Brought to you by the Mail & Guardian’s Data Desk.
journalism, produced this story
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ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 News Page 7
Nigeria
(Photo: Aminu
Abubakar/AFP)
Shoprite admits defeat
PHOTO STORY Woolworths, Truworths and Mr Price –
that have tried and ultimately failed to
A fter 15 years in Nigeria, South
Af rican sup ermarket giant
Shoprite announced this week that it
crack the Nigerian market.
“But the supermarket chain’s exit, as
such a prominent investor in the country,
plans to exit Africa’s largest economy. sends a strong signal that Nigeria is a
Despite impressive growth at times, the tough place to do business, which the
company has struggled with supply- authorities need to take seriously for
chain disruptions, and with difficulties local companies as much as for foreign
in getting money out of the country – investors,” said Dianna Games, the
exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. executive director of the SA-Nigeria
It is the latest in a long line of major Business Chamber, in a column for
South African companies – including Business Day. ■
The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 8
Cameroon
Tomato industry left rotting
on the vine
Cameroon usually exports 10,000 tonnes of tomatoes
each year. But Covid-19 restrictions have made that
impossible – and farmers are already suffering the
consequences
Daniel Ekonde to $10]. Now I sell a basket at 1,500 francs
[about $3] and rarely at 2,000 [about
H ervé Kouamo used to sell his
tomatoes at the local market. Now
he moves his harvest from door to door,
$3.5],” Kouamo revealed.
According to Cameroon’s state
broadcaster CRTV, about 877,000 tonnes
searching for potential buyers. His town, of tomatoes are produced yearly –
Bangangté in Cameroon’s West region, is mostly in the country’s west, northwest,
flooded with fruit in markets and clients southwest, central and far north regions,
are overwhelmed. as well as the Adamawa region – and a
“That’s the only option if I have to get at huge chunk is exported.
least half of the money I spent to cultivate Cameroon’s decision to close its
this crop. More truckloads of tomatoes borders in March meant its tomato
come to markets here every day,” 34-year- producers could no longer access regional
old Kouamo, who started harvesting the markets in west and central Africa, where
crop three years ago, told the Mail & the majority of the perishables go. Those
Guardian. markets include Nigeria, Gabon, Chad,
Kouamo’s customers used to come Equatorial Guinea and Central African
from Cameroon’s big cities: Bamenda, Republic.
Douala and Yaoundé, and bought in large “Nigerians paid us a lot for our
quantities. Now, things have taken a turn tomatoes. They usually buy about 10,000
since the Central African nation’s borders tonnes annually but now that channel
were closed in an attempt to contain the has closed,” Joseph Kana, a member of a
coronavirus pandemic. tomato producers’ association in the west
“I used to sell about 30 baskets in a day region, told CRTV.
– each for 5,000 to 6,000 francs [about $9 At least two tomato farmers have died
The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 9 Throwing nightshade: The closure of borders because of the Covid-19 pandemic Cameroon and a broken processing plant have severely hit farmers’ incomes from growing tomatoes (Photo: Michel Gunther/Biosphoto) by suicide because they could not pay Last month, in response to the back the money they borrowed to grow situation, Cameroon’s minister of their crops, Kana said. He said there were agriculture and rural development, others who had taken their own lives Gabriel Mbairobe, said his ministry because of poor output. was planning a bail-out plan for the Cameroon’s lone tomato processing sector amounting to two-billion francs plant in the west region closed down years (about $3.5-million). Part of this plan ago, meaning the country cannot process includes the distribution of fertilisers, the crop into other products and farmers seeds and pesticides to co-operatives have limited time to get rid of the product. while the government sets up a “We usually contact clients before rehabilitation scheme for the abandoned going to the farm – so they just come tomato-processing plant in the West and carry tomatoes in baskets. Now region. without ready markets, we are forced to “We will be happy if we can have a throw some away. The situation is really processing plant functioning, so that we bad,” Mary Mbaizoa, a tomato farmer in don’t fall into this shock again. It aches my Yaoundé, told the M&G. heart,” Mbaizoa said. ■
The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 10
The million-case milestone
Refiloe Seiboko 100,000 cases at the end of May, 200,000
before the end of June and 500,000 in mid-
O n February 14, the first case of
Covid-19 in Africa was confirmed
in Egypt. This week, the continent
July. The true figures may be even higher,
given that most African countries have not
been able to roll out effective mass testing.
recorded an unwelcome milestone as it “What we’d like to see – to be able to be
confirmed more than 1,000,000 positive really confident – is higher testing rates,”
cases. The virus appears to be spreading said the World Health Organisation’s
exponentially: the continent was at about Africa head Matshidiso Moeti. ■The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 11
Zimbabwe
nationwide protests on July 31 by
Dark forces. arresting key political and civil society
leaders, including journalist Hopewell
Bad apples. Chin’ono and author Tsitsi Dangarembga.
This was accompanied by the mysterious
Rogue abduction of several opposition activists,
at least one of whom was tortured. But the
Zimbabweans heavy-handed tactics may have backfired,
instead drawing global attention to the
As opposition mounts, government’s failings.
President Mnangagwa In his address, Mnangagwa said
lashes out that “a few rogue Zimbabweans acting
in league with foreign detractors” were
Kudzai Mashininga in Harare destabilising the country. “The dark
forces, both inside and outside our
O n Tuesday, President Emmerson
Mnangagwa delivered an unusual
televised address to the nation in which
borders, have tampered with our growth
and prosperity for too long. They have
thrived on dividing us.”
he used strong language reminiscent of Mduduzi Mathuthu, the editor of
the late Robert Mugabe. online publication ZimLive, said that
Mnangagwa described the country’s Mnangagwa’s government is “out of
opposition as terrorists and lashed out ideas” and “has turned to its instruments
at “bad apples” who were sabotaging his of repression to defend its hold on
government. power”. He is currently in hiding, after
Even as he was talking, the police raided his house in an attempt to
#ZimbabweanLivesMatter campaign – arrest him. When they realised he was
borrowing language from the Black Lives not home, police detained his sister and
Matter movement – was gaining traction nephew instead. His nephew, Tawanda
on Twitter, thrusting Zimbabwe’s political Muchehiwa, was later abducted from
economic crises onto the international police custody and tortured, according
news agenda with endorsements from the to the Media Institute of Southern Africa.
likes of AKA, Ice Cube, Thandie Newton “Zimbabwe currently is on a knife
and Pearl Thusi. edge...Violence has its limits and I’m not
Mnang ag w a’s a d m i n ist r at i on convinced the situation is sustainable,”
successfully prevented planned Mathuthu told The Continent. ■The Continent
ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Analysis Page 12
Photo: Jekesai
Njikizana/AFP
Mutapi nhau
akasungawa
anoratidza
kuora moyo
kwaita
Zimbabwe
Hopewell Chin’ono
akatsigira Emmerson
Mnangagwa paakaitwa
mutungamiri wenyika.
Parizvino Chin’ono
arimujeri
COMMENT Gwara idzva
Ranga Mberi Kubviswa pachigaro kwaMugabe
k w a k a g a mu c h i r w a n e v a z h i nj i ,
M ugore rose ra2018, mutapi
wenhau Hopewell Chin’ono akaita
mukurumbira nekurumbidza nekutsigira
muZimbabwe nepasi rese. Mugabe anga
agarisa pachigaro kubvira 1980, uye
akanga ava kuedza kugadza mudzimai
Emmerson Mnangagwa mushure wake, Grace, pachigaro.
memauto eZimbabwe abvuta masimba Saka pakasvika mauto kuzobvisa
kuna Robert Mugabe. Mugabe, zviuru nezviuru zvevanhu
Chin’ono nhasi uno ava mufananidzo zvakaungana mumigwagwa kunotsigira
wekuora moyo kwaita vazhinji VaMnangagwa. Pakanga pasati papera
vaimbotsigira Mnangagwa. mavhiki matatu VaMnangagwa vatiziraThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 13
kuSouth Africa. Vazhinji muZimbabwe akadaro Chin’ono. Anoti iye akazocheuka
vakafunga kuti ndiye achagadzirisa zvese mugore ra2018, apo makurukota
munyika. ehurumende vatadza kuzadzisa
Chin’ono akange ari mumwe zvavakanga vavimbisa zvekugadzirisa
weveruzhinji ava. Muna Kubvumbi ZBC, iyo inoshorwa zvikuru neruzhinji.
2018, akanyora iye achirumbidza Akanga adaidzwa na Mai Monica
VaMnangagwa, achiti VaMnangagwa Mutswang wa, vanova gur ukota
“vakashamisa maSenators aishanya rezvekufambiswa kwemashoko, vachiti
kubva America, vachitaura zvinonwisa abatsire kugadzirisa ZBC.
mvura. Vakataura maminitsi akasvika Iri ranga riri basa rakaoma, asi ibasa
makumi mapfumbamwe, vachingotura raida kuitwa. Zvirongwa zvepa ZBC
befu kuti vapewo vamwe mukana zvakasara chose. Kana dziri nhau dzacho
wekumbotaura. Vakataura vakatsiga, dzinotosetsa; dzinenge dzenyika dzakare
semaitiro avo avanozikanwa nawo.” dzehudzvanyiriri.
Asi mashoko aChino’ono kunaVa Chin’ono anoti akabata shamwari
Chamisa, avo vanotungamirira boka dzake dzinoita zvenhau mhiri, uye
rinopikisa reMovement for Democratic nekutaura nevamiririri vedzimwe nyika
Change (MDC), aive ekutsoropodza. vari muno. Anoti iye nyika yeBritain
PaTwitter, Chin’ono aitamba nezita yakanga yati ichaisa mari inosvika
r a Va C h a m i s a re m a du n hu r i r w a £3-million kubatsira ZBC. Ukuwo, CNN
rekuchikoro – iro rekunzi “Wamba dia yakavimbisa kudzidzisa vatapi nevanyori
Wamba”, munhu anozivikanwa kuti venhau veZBC.
akatadza kubudirira munyaya dzenyika
ku DR Congo. Chin’ono aiti zvitsidzo “Pandakaona izvi,
zvaVaChanisa zvaive “Wambology”, kuri
ndakabva ndaziva kuti
kuzvidza mashoko aVaChamisa.
Asi nzira yaChin’ono yeku Damasica hapana chitsva apa,
yanga isiri kure. Achitaura na Trevor manyepo chete,”
Ncub e, muridzi we b epanhau, akadaro Chin’ono
Chin’ono akabvunzwa kuti: “Mugore
ra 2017, pakatora Mnangag wa Asi havazi vese vakafirira kuti ZBC
chigaro, waimutsigira zvikuru, uye ishanduke, sezvakanga zvichiratidzwa
uchishoropodza MDC”. naMutsvang wa. Mumapepanhau
C h i n’on o a k api n du r a a k at i : ehurumende makatanga kunyorwa
“Mnangagwa akanga avimbisa kuti mashoko ekushora Chin’ono, zvichinzi
aizounza hurongwa hutsva hwaitarisirwa aiva mutengesi aida kutengesa
nevanhu wese. mapepanhau enyika kuvavengi vekunze.
Asi aive manyepo aVaMnangagwa, “Pandakaona Izvi, ndakabva ndazivaThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 14
Mutangamiri
wenyika ye
Zimbabwe,
Emmerson
Mnangagwa
(Photo: AFP)
kuti hapana chitsva apa, manyepo chete,” huori uhwu hwaifambiswa sei.
akadaro Chin’ono. Vanyadziswa, vakatuma mutauri
we Zanu-PF kushoropodza Chin’ono.
Kunyepa kutsva Pat r ick C hinamas a a kato doma
Ndiko kurasikirwa kwakaita Mnangagwa Chin’ono nezita, achiti mukomana uyu
nemutsigiri uyu. Kubva ipapo, Chin’ono, anyanya kusimbirira nekushoropodza
aiva mutsigiri mukuru waMnangangwa mhuri yemukuru wenyika. Takanzwa
pa Twitter, akabva atanga kurira senyenze Chinamasa oti “nhubu” dzinenge vana
kushoropodza hurumende. Hopewell Chin’ono dzaida kusvibisa zita
Mumwedzi waKubvumbi gore remwana wemutungamiri.
rino, kwakabuda nyaya yekuti Chin’ono ndokukandawo mhinduro
Drax International, kambani yainzi yake paTwitter, achiti: “Hupenyu
i n o d y i d z a n a n e mw a n a k o m a n a hwangu hwavamunjodzi zvichiteera
waMnangagwa, yakanga yapiwa basa mashoko akataurwa nemutauri we
guru nehurumende. Zvainzi basa iri Zanu-PF. Handisi kushoropodza.
raiva rekutenga mishonga nembatya Ndinongoshoropodza huwori chete”.
dzemuzvipatara (Personal Protective Aisareva nhema. Akasvikir wa
Equipment) zvehurumende. Mari nemapurisa.
yaizobuda apa yaisvika makumi “Varikupaza musha wangu, zivisai
matanhatu emamirioni emadhora pasi rose,” akazivisa vanhu paTwitter.
(USD$60-million). Akapomerwa mhosva yokukurudzira
Chin’ono akashandisa Twitter kurwiswa kwehurumende.
zvakanyanya kushambadza nyaya iyi. Mnangagwa paari kutadza kugadzirisa
Aitoburitsa magwaro kuratidza kuti zvehupfumi hwenyika, nekusiya huworiThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 15
munyika, nekusachengetedza kodzero Hazvizi zvizvarwa zvemuZimbabwe
yevanhu, vazhinji vaya vaimutsigira vave zvega zvakanyengedzwa
kumushoropodza. Vakawanda vakaita navaMnangagwa. Mugore ra2018,
saHopewell. Haasi ega aimbova mutsigiri VaPeter Hain, avo vaimbova nhume
waMnangagwa ava mupikisi wake nhasi. yeBritain muAfrica, vakasarudzwa
Mumwedzi wa Gunyana 2018, kuva chipangamazano chaZunaid Moti,
Mnangagwa akasarudza Mthuli Ncube mukuru weAfrica Chrome Field iri
kuita mubati wehomwe yenyika. muZimbabwe.
Ncube uyu airemekedzwa chaizvo. Vachitaura muna 2018, VaHain vakati
Akamboshanda ari mutevedzeri ivo: “Iyi yave nguva itsva mu Zimbabwe.
wemutungamiri we African Development Mutungamiri wakare aenda, kwauya
Bank, akadzidzisa nezve mari pazvikoro mutsva anehurongwa hutsva.” VaHain
zvikuru, kuWitwatersrand nekuOxford. vakafananidza Mnangagwa naGorbachev
Mumwe muzvinabhizinesi, Shingi wekuRussia. Vakatizve ino yava nguva
Munyeza, uyo aimboshoropodzawo yekuunza hupfumi muZimbabwe.
hurumende kare, akatambira kusarudzwa Asi musi wa 30 Chikunguru iro
kwa Ncube nerufaro. Akarova bembera, gore rino, muparamende yekuUnited
achiti “uyu ndiye mubati wehomwe Kingdom, Hain akasimuka akati:
yehurumende ano remekedzwa kudarika “Musi wa 20 Chikunguru, mutapi
vese vakambovapo pamakore makumi wenhau anoremekedzwa, Hopewell
maviri apfuura…mubati wehomwe Chin’ono, akasungwa ndokunyimwa
arinani pana vose kubva mugore ra 2000. bail nekuda kwekushoropodza huwori.
Batai mazwi awa.” Anotogona kupika jeri kwemakore
gumi. Hurumende yeUK haingatemeri
here zvimwe zvirango pamakurukota
Vakawanda vakaita
eZimbabwe nevakuru vemauto?”
saHopewell. Haasi Chin’ono aivawo netariro yekuti
ega aimbova mutsigiri Mnangagwa aizotora rimwe gwara
waMnangagwa ava rekutungamirira Zimbabwe. Haasi ega
mupikisi wake nhasi aiva netariro iyi. Muna 2017, vazhinji
vakazadza nhandare yeNational Sports
Munyeza akazosarudzwa seumwe Stadium, vachipemberera VaMnangagwa
chipangamazano waMnangag wa. vachigadzwa. Yaiva tariro. Ndivo vana
Asi nhasi zvasanduka. Mazuvano Hopewell; vaiva vatsigiri vaMnangagwa,
arikushoropodza hurumende asi nhasi uno vave vasungwa vake. ■
zuva nezuva, achiti vaMnangagwa
vanotungamira boka rinoita masaba
erima. Shanduko: P.S. RupiyaThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 16
The symbol of
a disillusioned
Zimbabwe
Journalist Hopewell
Chin’ono backed
President Emmerson
Mnangagwa when he
succeeded Robert
Photo: Jekesai
Mugabe. Now he’s in jail. Njikizana/AFP
COMMENT Chin’ono is, in a way, a symbol of the
Ranga Mberi disillusionment with Mnangagwa, and
evidence of how quickly the president has
F or most of 2018, journalist Hopewell
Chin’ono rose to Twitter fame as
a supporter of President Emmerson
squandered his goodwill.
The new dispensation
Mnangagwa, who had replaced Robert Mugabe’s overthrow and Mnangagwa’s
Mugabe after a military coup the year ascendency had widespread local and
before. Now he is into his third week in international support. Mugabe, who
jail, on trumped-up charges of trying to first came to power in 1980, had stayed
incite people to overthrow the man he in office well past his bedtime. Worse, he
once praised. was about to anoint his wife, Grace, asThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 17
his successor. of him, and generally critical of MDC?”
So, when army tanks arrived to pry C h i n’on o re p l i e d : “E m m e r s on
him from office, just days after he had Mnangagwa had promised that he was
fired Mnangagwa, thousands spilled going to deliver the change that we were
into the streets in support of the deputy looking for.”
president. When Mnangagwa took over, It was all a lie, Chin’ono said, and he
less than three weeks after fleeing to South realised this after discussions, late in 2018,
Africa, many Zimbabweans cast him as with senior officials over a possible deal
the reformist they had been waiting for. to reform Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster.
Chin’ono was among the many. In He had received a call from Monica
an article in April 2018, Chin’ono wrote Mutsvangwa, the information minister,
about how Mnangagwa had “surprised asking for help with modernising the
[visiting United States] senators and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
their staffers when he turned on the (ZBC).
charm offensive, only stopping once to This would be a tough job, but
give way for remarks in his 90-minute necessary. The station is stuck in the past.
address punctuated by calmness which Its comical nightly news broadcasts fit
has always been an essential part of his every caricature of a dictatorship’s media
persona and style”. mouthpiece.
For Nelson Chamisa, who had vaulted
over equally ambitious rivals – and the Chin’ono’s road-to-
party’s constitution – to take charge of
the opposition Movement for Democratic
Damascus moment soon
Change (MDC) in February 2018, there came after a media
was ridicule. reform deal gone bad
On Twitter, playing on Chamisa’s
nickname – he was called “Wamba dia Chin’ono called on his contacts at
Wamba” in college – Chin’ono coined foreign embassies and in international
the term “Wambology” to make fun of media. The United Kingdom, he told
Chamisa’s often ambitious campaign Ncube, was ready to “put £3-million
promises. on the table” to train ZBC journalists.
But Chin’ono’s road-to-Damascus CNN, he said, was also prepared to train
moment soon came. It happened over a journalists and make ZBC an affiliate
media reform deal gone bad. In a recent broadcaster.
interview, newspaper publisher Trevor But not everyone was as enthusiastic
Ncube asked him: “When Emmerson about the reforms as Mutsvangwa had
Mnangagwa became president in 2017, appeared to be. Soon, articles started
am I right that you were largely supportive appearing in the state press: Chin’ono wasThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 18
Defiant:
Zimbabwean
novelist Tsitsi
Dangarembga
is arrested
after staging an
anti-corruption
protest on
July 31 (Photo:
Zinyange
Auntony/AFP)
a puppet trying to deliver state media to and contracts that highlighted the depth
the West, the articles said. of the corruption.
“At that point I realised that the
new dispensation was actually a new Chin’ono went from
deception. There was nothing new about leading the pro-
it,” Chin’ono recalled.
Mnangagwa brigade
The new deception on Twitter to being
Mnangagwa had one less supporter. one of the shrillest
Chin’ono went from leading the pro- critics of the regime
Mnangagwa brigade on Twitter to being
one of the shrillest critics of the regime. Embarrassed, Mnangagwa wheeled
Then, in April this year, it emerged that out his lieutenants to attack Chin’ono. At
Drax International, a company alleged a press conference, spokesman Patrick
to have links to one of Mnangagwa’s Chinamasa singled out the journalist:
sons, had won a $60-million contract “We have noted the systematic targeted
to supply drugs and personal protective attacks of the first family members by
equipment to Zimbabwe. Relentlessly, unscrupulous characters like Hopewell
Chin’ono tweeted about the scandal, Chin’ono targeting the president’s son.”
posting leaked internal memorandums Chin’ono tweeted in response: “MyThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 19
life is now in danger after Zanu-PF in 20 years … a better finance minister by
attacked me personally through their far since 2000. Save this tweet.”
spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa. I am Munyeza accepted a post as one
only a detractor of corruption.” of Mnangagwa’s advisers. These
He was right. On the morning of July days, however, he tweets bitterly that
20, armed police smashed a glass door Mnangagwa is the head of an “occult
and entered his house. “They are breaking system”.
into my home. Alert the world!” tweeted It was not just Zimbabweans who
Chin’ono. He was later charged for fell for Mnangagwa’s apparent charms.
inciting violence against the government. In March 2018, Britain’s former Africa
minister, Peter Hain, visited Zimbabwe.
He had just been appointed consultant for
“My life is now
Zunaid Moti, a controversial businessman
in danger after running Africa Chrome Fields, a mine in
Zanu-PF attacked me Zimbabwe.
personally through “There is a new era in Zimbabwe as
their spokesperson the former president is now gone and the
Patrick Chinamasa. new president has a new agenda,” Hain
told an interviewer. Mnangagwa, Hain
I am only a detractor
said, would be Zimbabwe’s Gorbachev. It
of corruption.” was time to invest.
But on July 30, in the UK Parliament,
As Mnangagwa failed to deliver on Hain told his government: “On July 20
reforms and the economy, while allowing highly respected journalist Hopewell
corruption and rights abuses to continue, Chin’ono was arrested and denied bail
there are many Hopewells who have seen for supporting an anti-corruption
through the ruse. Many of Mnangagwa’s protest and faces 10 years in jail. Can the
most ardent supporters have become government update its sanctions to cover
critical of him. more Zimbabwe ministers and security
In September 2018, Mnangagwa chiefs?”
appointed as finance minister Mthuli Chin’ono had dared to hope that
Ncube, a banker who was once a vice- Mnangagwa would take Zimbabwe on a
president at the African Development different path. He was not alone. In 2017,
Bank and taught finance at the thousands filled the National Sports
universities of the Witwatersrand and Stadium to cheer on his inauguration.
Oxford. Businessman Shingi Munyeza, But, like Hopewell, they have gone from
a longtime government critic, gushed: being Mnangagwa’s supporters, to being
“This is the most credible finance minister his prisoners. ■The Continent
ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Investigation Page 20
Inside the secret
world of US commandos
in AfricaThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 21
A Mail & Guardian investigation reveals, for
the first time, the vast African footprint of
America’s most elite combat troops – and that
more US commandos are deployed to Africa in
secretive missions than anywhere else in the
world, after the war zones of the Middle East.
Nick Turse, Sam Mednick in Ouagadougou and Amanda
Sperber in Nairobi. This investigation was produced in
partnership with the Pulitzer Center
T he activities of the United States Special Operations forces – including
Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets and Marine Corps Raiders – are
shrouded in secrecy. These are the US military’s most secretive and highly-
trained soldiers, responsible for sensitive counter-terrorism, counter-
insurgency and “direct action combat raids.” Their operations are rarely
publicised.
Except when they go wrong.
In 2017, Islamic State fighters in Niger ambushed American troops near
the village of Tongo Tongo. Four US soldiers died, including two from the
Green Berets.
This incident provided a glimpse into the secret world of US commandos
operating in Africa. A Mail & Guardian investigation can reveal, for the
first time, the full extent of that world.
In 2019, US Special Ops forces were active not just in Niger, but in a
total of 22 African countries: Algeria, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon,
Cape Verde, Chad, Côte D’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya,
Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia,
Tanzania and Tunisia.
This accounts for a significant proportion of US Special Ops forces’
global activity: more than 14% of US commandos deployed overseas in
2019 were sent to Africa, the largest percentage of any region in the world
except for the Middle East.
These figures come from information provided to the M&G by the
US military’s Special Operations Command and Africa Command
(AFRICOM).
An interview with Donald Bolduc, a retired brigadier general and head
of Special Operations Command Africa until 2017, shed further light onThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 22
these operations. He said that as of 2017, US Special Ops forces had seen
combat in 13 African nations. America’s most elite troops continued to be
active in 10 of those countries – Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Kenya,
Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Somalia, and Tunisia – last year, he said.
Advise, assist, accompany
The military footprint of the United States in Africa is extensive. Previous
reporting has revealed the existence of a string of at least 29 military
bases across the continent, in 15 countries, few of which are officially
acknowledged by the US government.
Even more secretive still are the activities of US Special Operations
forces. Their presence
Tunisia
in African countries
rocc
o
is rarely officially
Mo
Algeria Libya
Egypt
acknowledged, either
by the US or host
Senegal Mauritania Mali Niger
Chad
nations; citizens are
Cape
Verde
B. Faso Djibouti not told what these
Nigeria
elite combat troops are
Graphic: JOHN McCANN Compiled by: PULITZER CENTRE
Ghana
n Ethiopia
oo
Camer
Côte
Kenya
doing on their land.
d’Ivoire Somalia
Rwanda
DRC
The US military
Country where
US Special Forces
Tanzania
is tight-lipped about
have a presence
Madagascar
e x a c t l y w h at it s
elite forces do in
Footprint
Footprint of of US na each countr y, but
st wa
USSpecial
Special OpsForces forces s p e c i a l op e r ators
Bo
ininAfrica
Africa have long conducted
500km
missions that range
from capture-or-kill
commando raids to more banal training missions.
The M&G has spoken to a wide range of sources to fill in the blanks,
including US military officers and diplomats; active and retired US special
forces operators; African government and military sources; recipients of
US military training in Africa; and civilian witnesses. What emerges is a
comprehensive picture of US Special Ops forces’ activities in Africa.
Some special operations are conducted under the auspices of the so-
called 127e programs, named for the budgetary authority that allows
US Special Operations forces to use local military units as surrogates in
counterterrorism missions. For reasons of security, Special OperationsThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 23
Command will not release information on 127e programs, said
spokesperson Ken McGraw.
However, the M&G has confirmed that in recent years the US has
conducted at least eight 127e programs in Africa, most of them in Somalia.
Currently, the US is conducting two 127e programs in Somalia, according
to an AFRICOM official. The M&G was able to obtain detailed information
on how a 127e program has been used to create and train the Danab
Brigade, an elite Somali special forces unit.
Headquartered in Baledogle, a Soviet-built airport about 100 kilometres
north of Mogadishu, Danab has a contingent of 850 troops. Baledogle
itself is host to one of the largest concentrations of US defence personnel
in Africa, behind only bases in Djibouti and Niger.
The M&G spoke to two civilians who live near Baledogle, who both
requested that their names be withheld. The first civilian said that since
2012, the base has been getting “bigger and bigger”. According to the
second civilian, the construction on the base – including a $12-million
runway refurbishment – has led to more employment opportunities for
locals.
In March this year, AFRICOM’s deputy director of operations Miguel
Castellanos said that he expected the US to continue supporting Danab
until at least 2027, with the goal to increase the size of the force to 3,000
soldiers.
US commandos sometimes accompany Danab units on raids, with a
mandate to “advise, assist and accompany” – although such missions can
sometimes be indistinguishable from combat.
The number of ground missions carried out by US commandos in
Somalia has never previously been revealed, but US Air Force documents
obtained by the M&G – via the Freedom of Information Act, and
corroborated by Bolduc – indicate the scale of these efforts. The documents,
from the 449th Air Expeditionary Group based in Camp Lemonnier in
Djibouti, show that the US and partner nations conducted more than 200
ground missions against Al Shabaab between June 2017 and June 2018.
This number is no anomaly. “That’s about average, annually, for the
time I was there, too,” said Bolduc, who headed the Special Operations
Command Africa from April 2015 to June 2017.
Counter-terrorism training
Another major theatre of special forces operations is in north-west
Africa. The flagship US military operation in the region is Juniper Shield,The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 24
a counterterrorism effort involving 11 nations: Algeria, Burkina Faso,
Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal
and Tunisia.
Under Juniper Shield, US Special Operations forces have trained,
advised, assisted and accompanied local partner forces conducting
missions aimed at terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda and its affiliates,
Boko Haram and Islamic State. The effort, according to the AFRICOM
documents, was ongoing as of February.
To understand what this training looks like, the M&G spoke to several
state security officers in Burkina Faso who have participated.
One army officer based in Fada N’Gourma, the main town in the east,
said teams have been receiving training from the US since 2018. Sessions
are two weeks and include 30 people from the army and police. The men
are trained by up to 20 Americans and taught the importance of winning
civilian trust and counter-IED training, he said. They were given explosive
detection kits, cameras and bags that could be used to send samples to the
laboratory.
“The training was very good and very practical. Short but intense,” he
Training in 2018 for Djibouti’s Rapid Intervention Brigade is
overseen by US troops. (Photo: Timothy Ahearn/US Navy)The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 25
said. He was not authorised to speak on the record.
According to one Special Operations officer formerly based in Burkina
Faso, who didn’t want to be named, the general approach was to combine
military training with civil engagement, such as teaching the army to
clear the roads of bombs, getting the police to set up checkpoints and then
bringing in a company to repair the potholes, making it harder for armed
groups to plant explosives. The officer told M&G that everything they did
was classified under Operation Juniper Shield.
Not all of the places where US Special Ops forces operate in Africa are
in or near war zones. Take, for example, Botswana – one of the continent’s
most established and peaceful democracies.
In response to questions from the M&G, the US Embassy in Botswana
said that Special Ops forces participated in Exercise Upward Minuteman,
a three week training event held in June 2019 at the Thebephatshwa Air
Base in Molepolole. The training involved 200 National Guardsmen from
the North Carolina National Guard and an unspecified number of soldiers
from the Botswana Defence Force (BDF). It included everything from
weapons training to air and ground assault simulations.
Botswana’s armed forces enjoy a relatively clean reputation. This is not
true of all the countries with which the US has chosen to partner. Burkina
Faso’s armed forces have been repeatedly implicated in serious human
rights violations; as have the Danab Brigade in Somalia.
A US State Department official, speaking on background, said they
were closely monitoring alleged human rights by partner militaries, and it
excludes from assistance and training individuals or units guilty of human
rights violations.
By partnering with these forces, the US risks legitimising these abuses,
argues Temi Ibirogba, a program and research associate with the Africa
Program at the Center for International Policy.
“If the most powerful democratic nation in the world is supporting
your military, you’ll surely believe that the human rights violations you’ve
committed are excusable,“ she said.
A ‘creeping build-up’
Andy Duhon, a former US Special Operations forces officer with more
than a decade of experience operating in the Sahel region, questioned the
effectiveness of the US military’s involvement in Africa. He said that the
US does not understand what African countries want, and as a result is
unsure how to best intervene.The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 26
War games: Commandos from the Botswana Defence Force in a
training exercise with US Special Ops forces operators (Photo: US
Army)
“The US isn’t doing enough. It wants to help but it needs to do a better
job of understanding grassroots organizations, governments and the
military, instead of just sending money towards long-term training and
equipment programs,” said Duhon.
Comfort Ero, the International Crisis Group’s Africa Program Director,
said that the extent of US special forces operations in Africa illustrates the
“creeping build-up” of the US military in Africa. Although, she added, it’s
a mixed message: “There’s a build-up on the one hand, and restraint on the
other. It’s clear that the US does not want to be on the front line.”
Ero said that the lack of transparency – from both US and African
governments – on the US military’s presence in Africa is a cause for
concern, as is their apparent willingness to work with authoritarian
governments. “It does feed into that broader concern that some states are
being propped up...the US is seen as legitimising and further prolonging
authoritarian tendencies, or states who are not seen as having legitimacy.” ■
With additional reporting in Gaborone by Joel Konopo of the INK Centre for Investigative
Journalism, and editing by Simon Allison. This investigation has been edited for length.
The full version will be published on Monday August 10 on the Mail & Guardian’s website.The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 27
SO, YOU THINK
YOU’RE A REAL
PAN-AFRICAN?
Take this quiz to find out
how well you really know
our continent
(Photo:
John/Flickr)
1. Which Bantu language, spoken woud one typically eat egusi
mostly in both Congos, borrows soup?
from French, Spanish, Portuguese 7. King Letsie III is the monarch of
and English? which country?
2. Mbabane and Lobamba are the 8. Which four countries are
capitals of which country? considered the Horn of Africa?
3. Jacaranda trees are known to 9. Which country celebrated its
flourish in four African countries. 60th anniversary of independence
Name one. on Friday August 7?
4. Footballer Romelu Lukaku 10. What city was formerly known
was born and raised in Belgium. as Salisbury?
Where is his family from 11. In which year was Nelson
originally? Mandela elected president of
5. True or false: the hippopotamus South Africa?
is native to North Africa? 12. The dirham is the currency of
6. In which region of the continent which country?
How did I do? 0-4 5-8 9-12
WhatsApp ‘ANSWERS’ “I think I need to “I can’t wait to "Borders are
to +27 73 805 6068 and start reading more explore more of this an artificial
we will send you the newspapers.” continent.” construct."
answers immediately.The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Sport Page 28 Pride beyond borders Sharon Allela I t’s not every day that one gets a chance to speak to a world-class athlete. My chat with one of Africa’s most celebrated athletes, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, left Continental captain: The Springboks my audience and me mind-blown. after the 2019 Rugby World Cup final When the Springboks won the Rugby (Photo: Odd Andersen/AFP) World Cup in 2019, South Africa was going through a period of immense of the continent which deserves to be one challenges. One of the biggest was the of the best continents in the world because xenophobia that fuelled a wave of hatred we have everything we need to be great,” across the continent. Embassies were he said. being stoned, foreign-owned businesses Tata Madiba once said that sport has torched and thousands of people were the power to unite people like little else fearing for their lives. can. The Springboks and the historic On the weekend of the World Cup world cup win brought Africa together. finals, Nairobi told a totally different They also showed us Kenyans that it is story. The city was bustling with life indeed possible for us to win the trophy with sports enthusiasts donning the for a nation that is one the world’s Springboks jersey. We put our differences powerhouses in the rugby sevens series. aside to support our African brothers as Like Eliud Kipchoge said, “no human is they represented the continent on the limited” and no African is limited. global stage. When I asked Siya about As we battle a pandemic, we are that memorable weekend, he admitted reminded of the spirit of pan-Africanism, to being overwhelmed by the support of times we were once united for a more that the team got from other African significant cause. At the moment, it seems countries. every man for himself and every country “Diversity of Africans is our strength. for herself. We have to hold each other We need each other as Africans, whether accountable and act responsibly to pull we like it or not. We need to start through to the other side. ■ accepting that and start using it as the Sharon Allela is a sports consultant and founder asset that it is and use it for the betterment of Adana Sports and Entertainment
The Continent
ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Investigation Page 29
How a notorious arms dealer
hijacked Niger’s budget
Mark Anderson, Khadija Sharife, and Nathalie Prevost for the
Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
A s militant groups spread across
the Sahel, the West African nation
of Niger went on a US-backed military
delivered, or purchased without going
through a competitive bidding process.
“The rigged bidding process, fake
spending spree that totaled about competition, and inflated pricing in
US$1-billion between 2011 and 2019. these deals is astounding,” said Andrew
But almost a third of that money was Feinstein, a leading arms expert and
funnelled into inflated international author of The Shadow World: Inside the
arms deals – seemingly designed to allow Global Arms Trade.
corrupt officials and brokers to siphon The Nigerien authorities are
off government funds, according to a investigating the findings of the audit,
confidential government audit obtained which have caused a scandal in the
by OCCRP that covers those eight years. country after some details were reported
The Inspection Générale des Armées, in the press earlier this year.
an independent body that audits the The country has become a key ally for
armed forces, found problems with the United States in fighting groups like
contracts amounting to over $320-million Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and
out of the $875-million in military the Islamic State West Africa Province,
spending it reviewed. The US contributed better known as Boko Haram. The surge
almost $240-million to Niger’s military in spending over the last decade helped
budget over the same period. Niger become one of the most formidable
The Inspection Générale’s auditors military powers in the region. The country
said more than 76-billion West African – one of the world’s poorest – bought
francs had been lost to corruption, which arms ranging from attack helicopters
is about $137-million at the current and fighter jets to armored vehicles and
exchange rate. automatic rifles. In addition to cash it
They discovered that much of the provided to Niger’s military, the US spent
equipment sourced from international $280-million building a massive air base
firms – including Russian, Ukrainian, and near the ancient trading city of Agadez in
Chinese state-owned defence companies – the north of the country. The base, which
was significantly overpriced, not actually reportedly costs $30-million a year to run,The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 30
Spoils of war: The palatial Niamey
mansion belonging to well-known
arms dealer Aboubacar Hima (Photo:
Nathalie Prevost/OCCRP)
allows US forces to launch drones for both Hima – who goes by the nicknames
surveillance and air strikes. “Style Féroce” and “Petit Boubé,” – and
American forces are also training Aboubacar Charfo, a construction
Nigerien soldiers and fighting alongside contractor with no previous experience in
them. In 2017, four US Special Operations the defence sector. Auditors allege that the
forces officers were killed in an ambush two men rigged bids by using companies
in the country’s frontier with Mali and under their control to create the illusion
Burkina Faso, reportedly by fighters of competition for contracts.
associated with the so-called Islamic State. Their success points to the
France and the European Union are opportunities available to a small clique
also major donors to Niger’s military, of well-connected insiders with close ties
which receives further aid through its to Niger’s government.
membership in G5 Sahel, a regional Hima’s lawyer, Marc Le Bihan, declined
joint military force. The audit report to answer reporters’ questions, saying
raises the possibility that some of the that his client could not be reached and
military aid ended up in the pockets of adding that he was not being prosecuted
unscrupulous private individuals and in connection with the auditors’ report. ■
corrupt government officials.
At the centre of the network of
This investigation was first published by the
corruption are two Nigerien businessmen Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting
who acted as intermediaries in the deals: Project, and has been edited for length. The full
the well-known arms dealer Aboubacar version is available here: https://bit.ly/NigerOCCRPThe Continent
ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Analysis Page 31
Social media alone can’t save
democracy in Zimbabwe
Bruce Mutsvairo denials of digital interference, while
anti-government digital activists have
Despite the rise of WhatsApp, Twitter previously faced treason charges.
and Facebook, social media has many Chin’ono’s arrest is itself a testimony
limitations as a way to liberate Africa’s to the limitations of social media as
oppressed peoples. Recent events in a weapon against what Zimbabwean
Zimbabwe explain why. government critics see as longstanding
On July 31, anti-corruption authoritarianism. By detaining him, the
campaigners, journalists, and opposition Zimbabwean government wants to remind
leaders joined forces to express their everyone that they are still in charge.
opposition to the government of President Digital activism has the potential to
Emmerson Mnangagwa. The government’s change African politics, but authoritarian
response was heavy-handed. Before governments can simply impose a
and on July 31, prominent outspoken social media “tax” and arrest their
figures such as whistle-blowing journalist most prominent critics. All of a sudden
Hopewell Chin’ono, opposition leader Twitter and Facebook look like much less
Jacob Ngarivhume and Booker Prize threatening spaces.
nominated writer Tsitsi Dangarembga So what can be done? At some point
were arrested – along with many others. we may need to recognise that digital
These three figures had all been vocal on activism will not remove Zanu-PF from
Twitter and Facebook calling for change. power. Zanu-PF is part of Zimbabwe’s
Chin’ono is one of the most effective critics problem but it may also have to be part
of government – his work has helped oust of the solution. They simply cannot be
two ministers on corruption charges. But wished away – and as a result digital
while those opposed to the ruling Zanu-PF protest may need to go hand-in-hand with
party consider social media as a godsend engagement. ■
for potential political emancipation,
history has taught us Zimbabwe’s deeply- Bruce Mutsvairo is an author
rooted problems will not be mediated on and Professor of Journalism
at Auburn University in the
social media. United States. This analysis is
Last year, access to social media published in partnership with
platforms was blocked amid government Democracy in AfricaThe Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 32
In Zimbabwe, even the
president’s inner circle
is unhappy
ANALYSIS ruling party and opposition activists
Africa Confidential whose aim was to drive Mnangagwa from
power with a campaign of mass protests.
A fter two years of dangerous drift,
military officers and state officials
are covertly talking to opposition figures
Moyo claims his spies had discovered
stocks of posters and placards calling
for the toppling of Mnangagwa and
about the president’s exit and a transitional praising his deputy former army general
authority. Constantino Chiwenga stashed at the
The extraordinary morning broadcast homes of the party dissidents.
by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on
August 4 reinforced the national sense
that his legitimacy is eroding as fast as the
The president’s broadcast
value of the Zimbabwean dollar. Heading on August 4 reinforced
a government which has detained some of the national sense that
the region’s best novelists and journalists, his legitimacy is eroding
and abducted and tortured opposition as fast as the value of the
activists, Mnangagwa warned citizens
about “the bad apples that have attempted Zimbabwean dollar
to divide our people. Good shall triumph
over evil”. According to Moyo, after Mnangagwa
Those divisions are festering at was forced out, the plan was that
the heart of his government. A week Chiwenga would preside over a national
earlier at a meeting of the politburo, the transitional authority committed to
50-strong policy-making body of the constitutional and economic reforms and
ruling party, Mnangagwa called on Isaac free elections. In other words, a classic
Moyo, director general of the Central palace coup. An ironic reworking of the
Intelligence Organisation, to report on putsch that Mnangagwa and Chiwenga
a “de-stabilisation” plot claimed to have had jointly organised against President
been run by Claveria Chizema, a politburo Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
member, and Tendai Savanhu, a former As Moyo explained the details of the
MP for Mbare. plot against Mnangagwa to the politburo,
Moyo explained that the plot showed Chiwenga, just back from another medical
collusion between dissidents within the check-up in China, looked on impassively.The Continent ISSUE 15. August 8 2020 Page 33
Neither Moyo nor Mnangagwa accused complaint by civilians that he is running
Chiwenga of complicity in the plot from a military regime. It is mainly a thin stripe
which he was meant to benefit. But the of top officers that have benefited in the
implied accusation hung in the room. past two years.
Despite their working together for Until now, Mnangagwa has been
decades, relations between Mnangagwa protected by a group of senior officers
and Chiwenga have cooled this year. and security specialists from the Midlands
They are unlikely to have improved after province – many of whom were in turn
Mnangagwa added the health portfolio protected by Mnangagwa, for their role in
to Chiwenga’s responsibilities. Obadiah the Gukurahundi massacre in the 1980s.
Moyo, the sacked health minister, is But according to Africa Confidential’s
being prosecuted for corruption after sources, several people in this ruling
journalist Hopewell Chin’ono exposed group now favour either Chiwenga or
a procurement scam involving the General Sibusiso Moyo to take over
minister and a businessman and friend of from Mnangagwa in a palace coup that
Mnangagwa’s family. would allow the formation of a National
Yet Chin’ono is being detained on Transitional Authority, in consultation
charges of subversion, tied into the with opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.
planned anti-corruption protests, and The decision by the United States
minister Moyo is out on bail. Treasury on August 5 to sanction
Mnangagwa’s business ally Kudakwashe
Despite working together Tagwirei, chief executive of Sakunda
for decades relations Holdings and majority owner of Landela
Mining Ventures, raises the stakes. Widely
between Mnangagwa seen as a proxy for Mnangagwa, Tagwirei’s
and Chiwenga have dealings with commodity traders
cooled this year Trafigura have made him immensely
wealthy in his own right.
Both Chiwenga and the Commander This week, Tagwirei was looking
of the national army, Lieutenant General uncharacteristically worried when
Edzai Chanyuka Chimonyo, have been driving his new pink Rolls Royce through
telling colleagues and business people Chisipite, one of Harare’s most prosperous
that the country is drifting dangerously. suburbs. As, surely, is Mnangagwa –
A former officer told Africa Confidential outside his fast-diminishing circle of
that such talk is army code meaning the admirers, few believe that the president
junior officers will act if the senior officers should hang on. ■
don’t.
Living conditions for junior officers This was first published by Africa Confidential, and has
and the ranks have deteriorated sharply been edited for length. The original is available here:
under Mnangagwa, despite the common https://bit.ly/ZimbabweACYou can also read
