Zimbabwe’s ruling party Zanu-PF has recently made a controversial resolution to amend the country’s constitution, potentially extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years. This decision, made at the party’s annual congress, follows a prolonged campaign by Zanu-PF to eliminate the two-term limit for presidents in the constitution.
Despite President Mnangagwa publicly stating on multiple occasions this year that he plans to retire when his current term ends in 2028, his loyalists within the party are pushing for the term extension, indicating that he may indeed support this move. The resolution passed by Zanu-PF proposes extending President Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028 to 2030, with the party and government tasked with initiating the necessary constitutional amendments to implement this decision.
However, not everyone within the government is in favor of this resolution. Sources suggest that the military, which played a significant role in Mnangagwa’s rise to power after the coup that ousted Robert Mugabe in 2017, opposes the idea of extending the president’s term. Deputy Constantino Chiwenga, who led the coup as army commander, has not publicly supported the campaign for the term extension.
Critics, including opposition figures like former finance minister Tendai Biti, believe that President Mnangagwa is determined to cling to power despite his public statements about retiring in 2028. Biti warns that the push for a third term is a dangerous ambition that could lead to conflict in Zimbabwe, with the majority of citizens opposing such a move.
President Mnangagwa, who initially promised a new era of democracy after taking power, has faced criticism for his increasingly autocratic rule. His administration has been accused of suppressing opposition voices, introducing repressive laws, and failing to deliver on economic promises. The country continues to grapple with currency instability, food shortages, and high unemployment rates.
Constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku highlights the legal and political challenges that Zanu-PF may face in amending the constitution to remove presidential term limits. He doubts the party’s understanding of the legal requirements for such changes and questions their ability to garner enough support for a referendum on the matter.
Political analyst Eldred Masunungure suggests that the military, a key player in Zimbabwean politics, will likely influence the final decision on the term extension. General Chiwenga’s rumored ambitions to succeed President Mnangagwa could further complicate the situation within the ruling party.
Zimbabwe has a history of disputed elections, and international observers have raised concerns about the fairness of recent polls. The opposition has contested election results, leading to violent crackdowns by security forces. The ongoing political tensions and economic challenges facing the country make the debate over presidential term limits a critical issue for Zimbabwe’s future.
