Editor's note

President Robert Mugabe’s 37-year old despotic and disastrous rule of Zimbabwe is over. While there’s been widespread jubilation in the country following the military’s intervention, Enock C. Mudzamiri cautions that the optimism is misplaced. The country’s military commanders have been less interested in restoring democracy than they are in settling a succession crisis in the ruling Zanu-PF.

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Zimbabwe National Army commander Constantino Chiwenga, second from left, addressing the media. EPA-EFE/Aaron Ufumeli

Zimbabwe beware: the military is looking after its own interests, not democracy

Enock C. Mudzamiri, University of South Africa

Contrary to popular sentiment that the coup in Zimbabwe would usher in a new era of democracy, the military intervention is much more about a succession crisis in the ruling Zanu-PF.

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