By A Correspondent | ZimEye | A moment at the 21st Movement function in Bulawayo: a large sign held aloft by a defiant attendee sent shockwaves through the hall where President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s youth supporters were campaigning for his extended presidency. The sign, boldly declaring “Mash West in Solidarity with the Army,” highlighted the growing rift within Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU PF party and underscored the deepening discontent surrounding Mnangagwa’s controversial push to extend his rule to 2030.

The event, which was intended to showcase unwavering support for Mnangagwa’s leadership, instead became a focal point for opposition voices. The same Mashonaland West region that recently expelled war veterans Blessed Runesu Geza and Gifford Gomwe as punishment for opposing Mnangagwa’s 2030 agenda is now sending mixed signals. This open display of solidarity with the army, widely seen as a veiled challenge to Mnangagwa’s authority, has sparked intense speculation about the true allegiances of the region’s political and military elites.

As Mnangagwa took to the stage, attempting to rally the crowd with the pro-regime anthem “2030 is Emmerson’s!”, the sign’s presence loomed large. The image of the president dancing alone, accompanied only by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri’s half-hearted mimicry, contrasted sharply with the message of dissent that hung over the gathering. The atmosphere was palpably tense, as if the event had become a microcosm of the broader power struggle within Zimbabwe’s corridors of power.

This latest embarrassment comes as calls for Mnangagwa to step down in favor of his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, grow louder. The party’s own spokesperson, Christopher Mutsvangwa, recently acknowledged that Blessed Geza, the expelled war veteran, is a trained military tactician with a knack for reading the party’s pulse. Geza has not shied away from demanding Mnangagwa’s immediate resignation, further emboldening those within the military and political establishments who are dissatisfied with the president’s maneuvers to cement his grip on power.

For many observers, the sign in solidarity with the army was more than just a statement—it was a signpost on the road to a potential political showdown. As Mnangagwa dances alone on stage, the question now is whether he is dancing on the edge of his political tenure or if his steps are merely the prelude to an even tighter hold on power. One thing is certain: Zimbabwe’s political dance floor is becoming increasingly crowded, and not everyone is moving to Mnangagwa’s beat.- ZimEye