- Zimbabwe has enacted constitutional amendments extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure to 2030 while replacing direct presidential elections with parliamentary selection.
- The reforms have drawn sharp criticism from opposition groups, who argue they further consolidate the ruling Zanu-PF party’s grip on power.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law controversial constitutional amendments that extend his tenure by two years until 2030 and abolish direct presidential elections, a move that has triggered criticism from opposition groups.
The amendments, announced on Tuesday, extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five years to seven years. Under the new law, Zimbabwe’s president will no longer be elected directly by citizens, as parliament will now be responsible for choosing the country’s leader.
Senior Information Ministry official Nick Mangwana confirmed the development on X, writing, “SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED — IT’S NOW LAW,” while sharing a copy of the legislation.
The constitutional amendments had earlier been approved by both chambers of parliament before receiving final approval from the National Assembly.
Opposition figures have condemned the reforms, describing them as a “constitutional coup” designed to strengthen the ruling Zanu-PF party’s hold on power. Critics argue the changes weaken democratic processes in the southern African nation, where Zanu-PF has governed since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980.
Mnangagwa, 83, widely known as “The Crocodile” because of his reputation for political ruthlessness, became president in 2017 after a military-backed coup that removed longtime leader Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years.
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