New Zimbabwean President Mnangawa Dissolves Cabinet

Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's interim president, has dissolved Robert Mugabe's cabinet and appointed Patrick Chinamasa to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and Simbarashe Mumbengegwi to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, according to The Herald.

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Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Misheck Sibanda, confirmed the reports, stating that the newly installed president has “dissolved cabinet, and is in the process of putting together a new team of cabinet members.”

He added that Mnangagwa is scheduled to hold meetings with heads of ministries (permanent secretaries) today.

President Mnangagwa was sworn in last Friday amid a military operation code-named “Operation Restore Legacy,” which saw long-time Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe resign from office. The military move, according to the new president, was aimed at preserving the ethos of the country's “struggle against British colonialism,” which was led by Mugabe, the late Sally Hayfron Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, Josiah Tongogara and many others.

The new head of state added that the “struggle for social and economic empowerment” now continues under his leadership.

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Mugabe's close friend and chaplain, Roman Catholic Church cleric Father Fidelis Mukonori, helped mediate between the former president and military officials during “Operation Restore Legacy.” Having help convinced Mugabe that it was best to resign with dignity, he said that he needed to “leave behind a good legacy to benefit future generations,” adding that "everything we do should be for future generations and prosperity for hundreds of years to come.”

One of the first measures taken by the new Zimbabwean government was to officially declare Feb. 21, the Robert Gabriel Mugabe National Youth Holiday. “Mugabe's immense contribution” to Zimbabwe should be recognized, Mnangagwa stated, adding that “he fought for our freedom ... let us all accept and acknowledge his immense contribution to our nation.”