Could Grace Mugabe succeed her husband as president?
Opposition leader claims Zimbabwe's First Lady is ‘effectively in charge’
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has been replaced by his wife, Grace Mugabe, according to the country's main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai told local media that the 91-year-old president's wife was now "effectively in charge" following months of uncertainty within the ruling party.
Calling it a "palace coup", Tsvangirai is reported by South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper as saying, "No one in government is thinking of solutions to the national challenges as everyone is preoccupied with issues of who will succeed this tired man steering the ship of state".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the last 18 months, Grace Mugabe has taken an increasingly prominent role in Zimbabwe's politics, spearheading the fight to get Joice Mujuru removed from her position as vice-president last year. She has also garnered the support of younger members of the party – dubbed the G-40 – but remains poorly thought of amongst the wider public.
Local media have reported two competing camps within the ruling party forming around army chief Emmerson Mnangagwa and Mrs Mugabe, despite president Mugabe's warnings that the jockeying for power "threatens to split the party".
Amid this battle, Tsvangirai's claim that Grace Mugabe had "surreptitiously but willingly" assumed power appears to be a move designed to take advantage of the current rifts and garner support for his opposition party.
The Guardian claims that Mrs Mugabe's "recent aggressive statements against those she deems insufficiently loyal to her husband" have come when Mr Mugabe is looking “increasingly frail”.
"The famously austere Mugabe," the paper adds, "has long been in robust physical and mental condition, but several mishaps in recent months have sent tongues wagging".
President Mugabe, who turns 92 in two months' time, has been in power since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. Up until now he has appeared to be in relatively good health, although he stumbled twice in public this year and read the wrong speech at the state opening of parliament earlier this year without realising his error.
Morgan Tsvangirai lost to him in presidential elections in 2002, 2008 and 2013. The opposition leader has repeatedly claimed Mugabe rigged and intimidated his way to victory.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures Firing shells, burning ballots, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
The Great Mughals: a 'treasure trove' of an exhibition
The Week Recommends The V&A's new show is 'spell-binding'
By The Week UK Published
-
Damian Barr shares his favourite books
The Week Recommends The writer and broadcaster picks works by Alice Walker, Elif Shafak and others
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published