Captain 'coup' Zimbabwe now vice president

harare - Former Zimbabwean army leader Constantino Chiwenga was appointed vice president of his country on Thursday. He played a leading role in the military intervention that ended in the departure of former President Robert Mugabe.

Chiwenga said farewell to his position as army leader earlier this month. The new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, gave him a top position in the ruling party ZANU-PF. Observers had already expected Chiwenga to be rewarded for his role in what was actually a coup. Other high military personnel were also given political positions.

Mugabe stepped up in November after his position had become untenable. The army had intervened after the 93-year-old leader had put aside his influential Vice President Mnangagwa. As a result, First Lady Grace Mugabe suddenly seemed to have the best cards to follow up on her long-term husband. That was bad for the military.