Zimbabwe’s cabinet has approved a draft constitutional amendment bill that could allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030, extending his potential tenure beyond the current 2028 limit, Reuters reported.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the proposed legislation will now be transmitted to the Speaker of Parliament and published in the government gazette before debate begins. As outlined in coverage by Reuters and Africanews, the bill proposes extending presidential terms from five to seven years and altering aspects of the country’s electoral framework, including changes to how the president is chosen and adjustments to parliamentary structures.
The proposal has drawn criticism from opposition groups and constitutional scholars, who argue that amendments with the effect of prolonging an incumbent’s stay in power should be subjected to a national referendum. Civic groups, including the Defend the Constitution Platform, have indicated they may challenge the bill through legal and political channels, as reported by ZimLive.
Mnangagwa, who first assumed office in 2017 following the military-assisted resignation of Robert Mugabe and subsequently won elections in 2018 and 2023, leads the ruling ZANU-PF party, which holds strong parliamentary majorities. Analysts note that while this strengthens the government’s ability to pass constitutional changes, the proposal is likely to intensify debate over governance and democratic safeguards in Zimbabwe.
