Zimbabwe Cabinet Approves Proposal to Extend Mnangagwa’s Rule to 2030 Dateline: Harare, Zimbabwe — 2026-02-10 Lead Paragraph: The Zimbabwean cabinet has approved a draft legislation that, if passed, would alter the country’s constitution to extend presidential terms from five to seven years. This move would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to potentially remain in office until 2030, extending his current term beyond what the current constitution allows.
The proposed changes were presented to the cabinet on Tuesday and include a provision that would see the president elected by parliament rather than through a direct popular vote.
Additionally, the bill proposes increasing the number of senators from 80 to 90, with the president having the authority to appoint 10 more senators. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi announced that the bill would be submitted to the speaker of parliament and published in an official gazette before it is considered by lawmakers.
A cabinet statement emphasized that the amendments would “enhance political stability and policy continuity to allow development programs to be implemented to completion.”.
President Mnangagwa, 83, is currently set to step down in 2028 after serving two five-year terms. His rise to power followed the military ousting of Robert Mugabe in 2017.
The governing ZANU — PF party has been in power since Zimbabwe’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1980 and currently holds a two-thirds majority in the lower house of parliament, as well as overwhelming control of the upper house.
Opposition politicians have condemned the move to extend Mnangagwa’s term, with some describing the cabinet’s approval of the changes as “politically destabilising.”Jameson Timba, a senior leader in the opposition movement, announced that a group called Defend the Constitution Platform would consult lawyers and brief regional and international partners in opposition to the changes.
Analysts and opposition figures have also highlighted that any constitutional changes would require a national referendum.
David Coltart, an opposition politician, stated that any amendment extending an incumbent’s tenure should be subject to a referendum, suggesting that the ruling party is taking measures to prevent such a vote. Attempts to demonstrate against the extension plan have met with police crackdowns, resulting in arrests of many people.
The proposed constitutional changes are currently under consideration by the Zimbabwean parliament.
Further details and the final outcome of the bill remain to be seen.
The situation is expected to continue to develop, with reactions and implications likely to unfold in the coming days and weeks.
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Source: Zimbabwe cabinet approves plan to extend Mnangagwa’s rule till 2030 — aljazeera.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
