Explainer: The power struggle behind the Zimbabwe crisis

Zimbabwe's military said it had launched an operation to "target criminals" around President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday, but insisted that the 93-year-old president and his family were "safe and sound." 

AP reported that although it was not clear where Mugabe and his wife Grace were, an army statement that their "security is guaranteed" indicated they were in the custody of the military. 

Other reports suggest Mugabe has been detained and could be replaced by former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, the man he sacked on November 6.

If confirmed, Mugabe would step down from power after 37 years as Zimbabwe's leader. 

The roots of the crisis in the southern African nation appear to lie in a power struggle within Zanu-PF between independence-era veterans and a new generation of potential leaders.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the man long expected to succeed Mugabe, was sacked on November 6. The removal of Mnangagwa, who fled the country but vowed to return as leader, is thought to be part of a plan to replace the 93-year-old Mugabe with his wife Grace.

Key players

President Robert Mugabe

Mugabe was a prominent leader in the guerilla war which ultimately led to independence from Britain in 1980. He has served as Zimbabwe’s leader for 37 years, becoming prime minister in 1980 and changing the constitution to become president in 1987. 

Now 93, he is the oldest head of state in the world. He was strongly supported by the military for many years, but has faced criticism over his handling of the economy amid high inflation and cash shortages.  

Grace Mugabe

Grace Mugabe has proved a divisive figure in Zimbabwe since marrying the president and becoming first lady in 1996. Now 52, she hit headlines in September when accused of assaulting a model she found with her sons in South Africa. 

She has positioned herself as lead of a group known as “G40," representing a younger generation of Zimbabweans, and was expected to be named vice president next month following the sacking of Mnangagwa. She has the backing of Zanu-PF’s youth wing, a strong voice in the country.

Emmerson Mnangagwa

Mnangagwa was a close ally of Mugabe for over 40 years, fighting alongside him for independence and then in various government positions. The 75-year-old, whose shrewdness earned him the nickname “the crocodile," was expected to become leader following his elevation to vice president. 

However, he was accused of plotting to take power and sacked – upsetting his large power bloc within the country, including the influential war veterans and military leaders.

General Constantino Chiwenga

Zimbabwe’s top military official, also a veteran of the independence war, on November 13 demanded that Mugabe stop purges of senior Zanu-PF figures, including Mnangagwa, and warned that the army was prepared to “step in” to stop “treacherous shenanigans.” 

He was soon accused of "treasonable conduct" for challenging the president. On Wednesday, military vehicles and troops were seen on the streets of capital Harare.