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Storm brews over Zimbabwe presidential extension plan

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, October 26th 2025 at 8:08 GMT by montanarightnow
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Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Crisis: A Storm Brewing Over President Mnangagwa’s Term Extension

The political climate in Zimbabwe has once again turned turbulent as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration announced a controversial constitutional amendment that could extend the president’s tenure beyond the limits set by the 2013 constitution. The proposal has ignited a fierce backlash from opposition parties, civil society groups, and the international community, sparking fears of a repeat of the country’s historic democratic backsliding.

The Proposed Amendment and Its Timing

On 15 March 2024, Mnangagwa’s government formally presented a draft amendment to the National Assembly. The amendment seeks to reduce the presidential term limit from a maximum of two terms to a single, indefinite term, thereby allowing the current president to remain in power for an unspecified period. The draft, which has been under consideration since late February, is poised for a referendum slated for June 2024. Critics argue that the amendment would effectively abolish term limits, giving Mnangagwa and his ruling party, ZANU‑PF, an unchecked hold on the executive branch.

The amendment’s language also seeks to relax the requirements for presidential succession, allowing a broader pool of candidates to run in a future election. According to the draft, the new rules would permit any citizen over the age of 35 who has resided in Zimbabwe for at least 15 years to be eligible, a departure from the current 20‑year residency requirement. While Mnangagwa and his allies claim the changes are meant to strengthen governance, opponents view them as a clear attempt to entrench power.

Domestic Backlash

Opposition leaders, most notably Nelson Chaparira of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), have condemned the amendment as an affront to democracy. “The people of Zimbabwe will not be asked to sign away their rights for the benefit of one man,” said Chaparira in a statement released by the MDC’s press office. “This is a betrayal of the promises made after the transition of power in 2018.”

The opposition’s main strategy is to mobilize mass protests in Harare and other major cities. Early reports indicate that the MDC has already begun rallying supporters, with the party’s social media channels reporting that thousands of people have signed up to participate in the planned demonstrations scheduled for the week of the referendum.

Civil society organizations such as the Zimbabwe Human Rights Watch Group and the Centre for Constitutional and Legal Studies have issued urgent calls for the amendment to be rejected. They argue that the changes would undermine judicial independence and the rule of law, as the constitution currently safeguards checks and balances between the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

International Reactions

The United Nations has already expressed concern over the proposed amendment. A statement from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Dengler, read: “Zimbabwe’s constitutional process must respect the principles of democratic governance, inclusive participation, and the protection of fundamental rights.” The statement highlighted the need for a transparent referendum and warned that any attempt to circumvent the constitution could lead to political instability.

The United States and the European Union have also weighed in. The U.S. State Department released a press brief urging Zimbabwe to uphold democratic principles and to refrain from constitutional changes that could weaken the country’s democratic institutions. The European Union’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Ylva Ljungberg, said: “The EU remains closely monitoring the situation in Zimbabwe and encourages the government to engage in constructive dialogue with all political stakeholders.”

South Africa, a regional partner and a key player in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has called for a “respectful and inclusive constitutional process.” The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation stated that the amendment’s potential to create a power vacuum would have ripple effects across the region.

Legal and Constitutional Implications

Zimbabwe’s constitution, adopted in 2013, originally set the president’s term to a maximum of two terms, each lasting five years. The draft amendment would effectively remove this cap, making it possible for Mnangagwa to stay in power indefinitely. Legal scholars argue that the amendment would also alter the structure of the constitution’s “constitutional framework” that guarantees checks and balances. They point out that the amendment’s removal of term limits could create a “slippery slope” towards authoritarianism.

The Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe has yet to weigh in. Some court members have expressed reservations, citing the importance of maintaining constitutional sanctity. However, the court’s independence has been questioned in recent years, given reports of political pressure from the executive branch.

Potential Consequences

Should the referendum pass, Zimbabwe’s political landscape could shift dramatically. The removal of term limits would grant Mnangagwa unprecedented leeway in choosing his successor, thereby perpetuating ZANU‑PF’s dominance. The opposition’s credibility might further erode if the public perceives that the amendment has effectively sealed the political future of the ruling party.

Moreover, the amendment could trigger a wave of sanctions from the international community. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has previously threatened sanctions on Zimbabwean officials who engage in undemocratic practices. The European Union could also tighten its sanctions regime, especially if the amendment is deemed to violate democratic principles.

Conversely, some analysts suggest that the amendment could foster stability by preventing the “power vacuum” that would inevitably follow the 2025 presidential election. They argue that an indefinite term could reduce political competition and, by extension, minimize the likelihood of violent conflict. However, this perspective has been widely dismissed by opposition leaders and international observers.

Looking Ahead

The forthcoming referendum on 25 June 2024 will be a decisive moment for Zimbabwe’s democracy. Opposition parties are preparing to mobilize supporters for mass demonstrations, while civil society groups are urging the public to exercise their right to vote against the amendment. The international community will continue to monitor the proceedings, with many foreign governments ready to impose economic or diplomatic sanctions should the amendment pass.

In the face of these developments, the future of Zimbabwe’s political system remains uncertain. Whether the constitutional crisis will culminate in a peaceful, democratic transition or spiral into further authoritarian consolidation depends largely on how the country’s political leaders, civil society, and the international community respond in the coming weeks.