Zimbabwe’s justice minister introduced a highly controversial constitutional amendment bill to parliament on Tuesday to extend the president’s term.
The proposed changes would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule until 2030, sparking fierce political opposition and urgent court challenges.
The legislation aims to eliminate general presidential elections entirely, transferring the power to appoint the head of state to parliament.
Furthermore, the bill seeks to extend the terms of sitting lawmakers from five years to seven years across the country.
The ruling Zanu-PF party holds an overwhelming parliamentary majority, making the passage of these contentious measures highly probable despite public outcry.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi stated that the government remains fully determined to push the amendment through the upcoming legislative debates.
Ziyambi claimed a ninety-day public consultation process was successful, but opposition groups reported widespread intimidation and state-sponsored violence against activists.
Critics argue the bill is designed to permanently entrench the ruling party, which has governed the nation since independence in 1980.
The administration faces continuous accusations of corruption and economic mismanagement, overseeing decades of crippling financial crises and heavy political repression.
Mnangagwa originally seized power during a 2017 military coup that successfully ousted the long-serving leader Robert Mugabe after thirty years.
The current leader won two consecutive five-year terms, reaching the strict constitutional limit set by the nation’s existing laws.
The unfolding political drama threatens to push Zimbabwe deeper into democratic backsliding as citizens watch their voting rights systematically dismantled.