Zimbabwe Military Said to Plan Ruler Should Mugabe Fall Ill

Zimbabwe’s military and state security agencies plan to install the head of the armed forces as president should Robert Mugabe become too ill to rule, three officials familiar with the situation said.

Constantine Chiwenga will take over as national leader, sidelining Defense Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, 64, and Vice President Joice Mujuru, 56, as potential presidents, according to the plan discussed by Mugabe loyalists who control the army, police, secret police and prison services. The officials, a military officer and two members of the highest decision-making body in Mugabe’s party, spoke over the last week and declined to be identified because the plan is secret and they fear reprisals for giving out the information. The military is concerned by Mugabe’s repeated trips to Singapore for medical treatment.