President Mnangagwa travels to UN General Assembly in New York

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has traveled to New York to attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. During his visit, he is scheduled to participate in a Zimbabwe Business Forum aimed at attracting investment and unlocking financing for key domestic sectors.

While the President is away, executive authority has been temporarily transferred to his deputies. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga will serve as Acting President from September 18 to 21, followed by Vice-President Kembo Mohadi from September 22 until Mnangagwa’s return. Chiwenga, who recently returned from China, was seen at the airport seeing off the President.

The trip occurs amid internal political scrutiny regarding succession within the ZANU PF party and the relationship between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga. Additionally, because both the President and First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa are under U.S. Global Magnitsky sanctions, their travel is restricted by the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement to a 25-mile radius around UN Headquarters in Manhattan.