Zimbabwe military leader Chiwenga set to retire, expected to be appointed VP

The head of Zimbabwe’s military, who led the de facto coup that ended Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule last month, is set to retire, the government said on Monday. The decision paves the way for his widely anticipated appointment as vice president, Reuters reports. Constantino Chiwenga is the top contender to become a deputy to the new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, one of two posts Mnangagwa has promised to fill in the next few days. Army Commander Phillip Sibanda will succeed Chiwenga as defense forces chief, according to the statement. The government announced the retirement of police chief Augustine Chihuri, a deeply unpopular Mugabe loyalist. Mnangagwa also appointed Major General Edzai Chimonyo, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Tanzania, as army commander.