Zimbabwe's new President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed a new Cabinet that includes ruling party loyalists as well as figures linked to the military, whose takeover helped oust former leader Robert Mugabe. <br/><br/>No opposition politicians are included. The 22-member Cabinet announced late yesterday includes Maj. Gen. Sibusiso Moyo as Foreign Minister, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri as Agriculture Minister and Chris Mutsvangwa, leader of Zimbabwe's war veterans, as Information Minister.<br/><br/>Moyo on November 15 announced the military takeover that put Mugabe under house arrest and set in motion a national clamoUr leading to the former president's resignation after 37 years in power. Mugabe quit on November 21 amid impeachment proceedings.<br/><br/>Opposition politicians condemned President Mnangagwa's appointments as a betrayal of public hopes. Some had hoped that President Mnangagwa would appoint members of the opposition to his cabinet, to form a transitional government until elections next year but this did not happen. <br/><br/>Despite pledging a "new destiny" for Zimbabwe, Mr Mnangagwa is still associated by many with some of the worst atrocities committed under the ruling Zanu-PF party since the country gained independence in 1980.<br/><br/>The two new Vice-Presidents have not been appointed yet. According to the BBC, all eyes are on the general who led the military takeover Gen Constantino Chiwenga. <br/><br/>Zimbabwean commentators are waiting to see whether he will be rewarded with a Vice-Presidency.
News On AIR | December 1, 2017 7:45 PM
Zimbabwe's new President Emmerson Mnangagwa appoints military, party loyalists to cabinet