This archive report was first published on 9 January 2020.
On January 9, 2020, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced he was taking a three-week annual leave, effective immediately.
According to George Charamba, the acting Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mnangagwa's vacation would run for the next three weeks until the end of the month.
Charamba stated, “The Office of the President and Cabinet wishes to advise that his Excellency the President, Cde E.D Mnangagwa, has started his annual vacation which runs for the next three weeks until the end of this month.”
During Mnangagwa's absence, his two vice-presidents, Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, will take turns to act in his place.
Mnangagwa, 77, has been in office since 2017, following the death of Robert Mugabe.
It is unusual for African presidents to announce they are taking a break from their presidential duties, and even more rare for them to allow their deputies to take temporary charge.
