Is Mnangagwa not too old to turn around Zimbabwe?

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, at 75, may already be too old to resonate with the country’s youths as he represents the same kind of generational divide that alienated former president Robert Mugabe from Zimbabwe’s young population.

This was said today by Global Risk Insights, “a world-leading publication for political risk news and analysis”.

“Having a leader 55 years older than the country’s median age could easily result in the same kind of disenchantment and resentment engendered by nonagenarian Mugabe,” the publication said.

“Going into 2018, the prospects for Zimbabwean democracy are uncertain, as President Emmerson Mnangagwa is no ardent democrat. A long-time supporter of Mr. Mugabe, he has held various cabinet positions in the last three decades, and boasts his own list of links to state crimes.”

Mnangagwa has said bygones should be bygones and he has vowed to listen to the people saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God.

He has also promised free and fair elections saying this is the only way the country can prosper.

Mnangagwa seems to be quite aware of the challenges that he is facing especially since he came to power through military intervention and not through a popular vote.

“The New Year will undoubtedly have immense opportunities and its full share of challenges,” he said in his New Year massage.

“But if we remain united as one people, nothing is insurmountable……

“I urge you fellow Zimbabweans to engage with government, its institutions and agencies for more transparent, just, accountable and responsive governance.

“Indeed no one person or institution has a monopoly of ideas. Let us equally commit to honesty, transparency, accountability and discipline to ensure accelerated national development and progress.

“Collectively we can build a new democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe,” he said.

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