Zimbabwe’s ZANU-PF Moves to Extend Mnangagwa’s Presidency to 2030

Zimbabwe’s ruling party, the ZANU-PF, has initiated a process to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidency by two years, potentially prolonging his time in office until 2030. This decision was announced during the party’s annual conference held in Mutare, where delegates urged the government to draft legislation aimed at amending the Constitution, according to Ziyambi Ziyambi, the Minister of Justice and ZANU-PF’s legal secretary.

Mnangagwa, who is currently 83 years old, is constitutionally mandated to vacate the presidency in 2028 after serving two elected terms. Any alteration to this timeline would necessitate a constitutional amendment and possibly a national referendum, as noted by legal experts. Following the passing of the motion, applause erupted among the delegates, underscoring ZANU-PF’s established pattern of fortified governance since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980.

The governing party holds significant power in parliament, which could facilitate the proposed changes. Nevertheless, some insiders within ZANU-PF caution that a legal challenge is likely. Mnangagwa has previously asserted his commitment to constitutionalism, expressing no desire to extend his rule. Yet, loyalists have been advocating for an extension since the contested elections of last year, while a faction aligned with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has openly opposed the proposal.

Veteran liberation war fighter, Blessed Geza, an ally of Chiwenga, has utilized social media platforms, including YouTube, to speak out against the extension, attracting thousands of viewers. Despite his efforts, calls for mass protests have not gained substantial traction, particularly in light of heavy police presence in Harare and other urban centers. Notably, Mnangagwa did not address the term extension during his concluding remarks at the conference, and Chiwenga has remained silent on both the extension proposal and the protests.

Economic Challenges and Opposition Resistance

Mnangagwa ascended to the presidency in 2017, promising democratic reforms and economic recovery following the ousting of long-time leader Robert Mugabe. His tenure has been marred by a severe economic decline characterized by hyperinflation, widespread unemployment, and corruption allegations. Critics assert that ZANU-PF has systematically suppressed dissent, undermined judicial independence, and transformed elections into orchestrated events rather than genuine democratic contests.

Legal figures from the opposition have warned that any attempts to amend the Constitution would encounter significant resistance in the courts. Opposition lawyer Tendai Biti stated, “We will defend the Constitution against its capture and manipulation to advance a dangerous unconstitutional anti-people agenda.”

On Friday, authorities in Harare arrested ten elderly activists—mostly in their 60s and 70s—who were allegedly planning a protest demanding Mnangagwa’s resignation. They face charges of attempting to incite “public violence” and remain in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for Monday. Earlier this year, nearly 100 young individuals were detained under similar circumstances, highlighting the ongoing tension in the political landscape.

The current developments within ZANU-PF reveal an intensifying power struggle. One faction advocates for Mnangagwa’s continued presidency until 2030, while another faction appears to be positioning Chiwenga, the former army general instrumental in Mugabe’s removal during the 2017 coup, as a potential successor. As the situation unfolds, the implications for Zimbabwe’s political stability remain uncertain.