Jonathan Moyo’s Political Manoeuvres: A Dance Between Alliances

Jonathan Moyo, once a towering figure in Zimbabwean politics, continues to intrigue. His political journey has been one of remarkable shifts, particularly in how he navigates allegiances.

Moyo, the former cabinet minister, famously exiled after the 2017 military coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, has long been trying to align himself with current president Emmerson Mnangagwa. Once a close confidant to the ZANU-PF regime, Moyo has spent years in self-imposed exile, reportedly in Kenya. But his relationship with Mnangagwa? It’s fraught with tension.

Political analysts, such as Leonard Koni, suggest Moyo may have grown weary of his efforts to ingratiate himself with Mnangagwa. Koni claims Moyo has “scaled down” his efforts to praise the man now known as Zimbabwe’s political heavyweight. But this isn’t the first time Moyo has changed allegiances.

The irony is Moyo’s past is riddled with similar political shifts. At one point, after the 2018 elections, he threw his weight behind Nelson Chamisa, leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change. Moyo’s allegiance to Chamisa seemed concrete when he even offered to train election agents for the 2024 elections, but his loyalties never quite solidified.

This isn’t a new pattern for Moyo. Koni notes, “Never trust Mr. Flip Flopper.” Indeed, Moyo has shown an unparalleled ability to readjust his loyalties when it suits his political survival. His shift from Chamisa back to Mnangagwa is just another instance in this cycle.

The political back-and-forth stems from Moyo’s complicated history with Mnangagwa. The infamous Tsholotsho Declaration in the early 2000s was meant to replace Mugabe with Mnangagwa. But when the plan unraveled, Mnangagwa distanced himself, leaving Moyo in a precarious position.

It’s no surprise that Moyo’s relationship with Mnangagwa never fully recovered. Despite attempts to mend the rift, political alliances in Zimbabwe have always been fragile. Mnangagwa, now firmly in power, may not be inclined to forgive old wounds, especially one as significant as Tsholotsho.

From Moyo’s perspective, it’s a delicate dance. In exile, he must tread carefully, attempting to secure a safe return without alienating Mnangagwa entirely. His public praise of the president was perhaps an attempt to do just that. But Koni suggests this approach has now been abandoned.

As political analysts observe, Moyo may have realized that bootlicking Mnangagwa will not guarantee him favor. In Zimbabwe’s intricate political landscape, loyalty rarely guarantees protection or amnesty. Mnangagwa, a shrewd politician, may be too cautious to trust a figure like Moyo.

What makes Moyo’s case more compelling is the broader political context. Zimbabwe, still grappling with the remnants of Mugabe’s legacy, remains a nation where political figures must constantly adapt. Moyo’s shift in loyalty could be seen as part of a larger narrative in Zimbabwean politics, where alliances are often fluid and opportunistic.

For Mnangagwa, Moyo’s overtures may seem insincere, especially after their past. Moyo’s sudden embrace of the opposition and subsequent praise of Mnangagwa appears more like political maneuvering than genuine support.

It’s a risky strategy, to say the least. For Moyo, the stakes are high. As an exile, his political survival depends on his ability to navigate shifting allegiances. But for Mnangagwa, Moyo’s praise might feel hollow, especially coming from someone with such a checkered history.

The unfolding political drama between Moyo and Mnangagwa offers a window into the nature of Zimbabwean politics. Political survival requires pragmatism, but it also demands loyalty. Moyo’s oscillating allegiances may offer short-term gains, but they could also come at a high cost.

In a country where political memory runs deep, Moyo’s past actions—particularly his involvement in the Tsholotsho Declaration—continue to haunt him. Even as he attempts to re-enter Zimbabwe’s political fold, he remains a figure of suspicion.

Ultimately, the story of Jonathan Moyo isn’t just about one man’s quest to return home. It’s about the complexities of power in Zimbabwe. Moyo’s relationship with Mnangagwa highlights how quickly allegiances can change, and how difficult it is to earn forgiveness in a political system where past actions are rarely forgotten.

The Zim Bulletin