The Government of Zimbabwe has submitted to Parliament on Tuesday (2) a draft law providing for the extension of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two more years, until 2030, despite criticism from a fragmented opposition and some veterans of the country’s liberation war.
According to Reuters, the legislative proposal is expected to be debated on Wednesday in a second reading in Parliament. Mnangagwa, aged 83, was due to leave office in 2028 after serving two five-year terms, but his supporters want to amend the constitution to extend presidential terms to seven years.
The proposal also includes the possibility of presidents being elected by Parliament instead of through direct popular vote.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi presented the bill in the lower house of Parliament. Political analysts consider its approval likely, as the ruling party, ZANU-PF, holds a two-thirds majority in the lower house and largely controls the upper house through traditional leaders and other political allies.
Ziyambi had previously indicated that the legislative process is expected to take about one month.
ZANU-PF has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from the United Kingdom in 1980, first under the leadership of Robert Mugabe and, since the 2017 coup, under Mnangagwa.
On Tuesday, a group of former generals and ex-government officials publicly opposed the proposal to extend the presidential term.
Critics say they met with Mnangagwa last month to express their concerns, and he reportedly responded with the phrase “who wins, wins,” referring to the outcome of the legislative process.
Some war veterans and activists have also filed a challenge against the bill at the Constitutional Court, which has reserved its ruling while reviewing the arguments.
