Cosleg pushes for Sekeremayi presidency

HARARE – The factional dogfights in the Zimbabwe’s ruling party Zanu-PF are expected to go a notch higher with the Cosleg faction largely backed by military personnel reportedly pushing for the elevation of former Defence and Security minister Sydney Sekeremayi.

Cosleg is believed to have been at loggerheads with Lacoste faction that has for long backed President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s ambition for the highest post back to the days of former President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe was in November 2017 disposed from his position through a de facto coup initiated by disgruntled army chiefs led by ailing Vice President Constantino Chiwenga (then Zimbabwe Defence Forces Army General).

But in a dramatic twists of events, Cosleg which conglomerated with Lacoste (composed of War Veterans and Midlands henchmen) is said to be tactically angling for the stepping down of Mnangagwa or the elevation of Sekeramayi to the Vice Presidency.

Mnangagwa however is understood to be enjoying some little support from his loyalists, promoted to the high ranks in the army after the coup.

The incumbent has always gone into an overdrive in an attempt to checkmate his ambitious deputy Rtd General Chiwenga with some government positions reshuffling every time the former army chief has been absent from the troubled Southern African nation.

However, it is on record that the remaining coup army chiefs have been closely monitoring the clandestine moves by Mnangagwa who has made his desire public that he plans to stay as far as 2030 even when his 2-term constitutional office will lapse in 2028 provided he claims victory in the 2023 general polls.

The emergence of Sekeremayi is a huge surprise considering his links to the other defeated faction under the G40 (Generation 40) banner that was believed to be fronted by Harare’s former First Lady Grace Mugabe even though Sekeremayi was tipped to be the likely successor.

According to new reports Sekeramayi survived expulsion and humiliation after Mugabe’s exit mainly because of the support he established with some army personnel during his long service in security ranks.

A source said Mnangagwa had hoped to expel Sekeremayi or lock him up but the army generals such as Douglas Nyikayaramba argued against such a move.

“It’s obvious that Sekeramayi [Sydney] is a canning character. He is quiet but calculating and this is the reason why his lieutenants in the army have protected him many times,” said the source.

Cosleg is understood to be alarmed by the worsening economic situation in Zimbabwe and also the health of its frontman Chiwenga who has been battling for his life for quite sometime with medical examinations in India and South Africa doing little to help his cause.

Chiwenga is currently receiving medical attention in China but reports suggest the erstwhile army strongman is critical from a believed toxic poisoning.

It is from this situation that the Cosleg has resorted to Sekeremayi whom they believe has a better ‘untainted record’ that is well known in the public domain.

Sekeremayi has often been cited in the Gukurahundi scandal even though he was not an active and vocal member and this may be a solace to warm him as a darling of the disgruntled citizens.

“The economic conditions have reached an alarming level and you know it is one of the reasons why Bob(Mugabe) lost power. It will not be a surprise to see the President following in that direction if things don’t change,” another source told RosGwen24.

“It’s complicated but Cosleg wants Sekeramayi now and the fact that he enjoys support of Army General Valerio Sibanda will prove to be vital. Only time will tell,” said one Zanu-PF hardliner linked to Cosleg.

President Mnangagwa has been slowly losing support because of his self-centered character that has seen him sidelining some of his allies who pushed for his elevation to the highest order in an unconstitutional fashion.

How the plan will be rolled out in the coming months remains a mystery with insiders saying Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Foreign Affairs chief Subusiso Moyo are also in line for the big position.