Zimbabwe Senate backs Mnangagwa term extension

Zimbabwe’s Senate has approved constitutional amendments that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term to 2030, giving the changes full parliamentary support after earlier approval from the lower house.

The Senate voted 75-4 in favour on Wednesday. The National Assembly passed the bill on June 18 by a vote of 216-42.

The amendments extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. They also give parliament the power to appoint the president, replacing direct presidential elections introduced in 1987.

The bill will return to the National Assembly for technical adjustments before being signed into law by Mnangagwa.

Mnangagwa, 83, came to power in 2017 after a military-backed coup that ousted Robert Mugabe. He was elected for two five-year terms in 2018 and 2023.

Opposition figures have criticised the amendments and vowed to challenge them in court. Senior opposition figure David Coltart said the changes should be put to a national referendum. The Constitutional Court rejected an earlier bid to challenge the bill on June 17.

The government has said the extension would enhance political stability and allow development programmes to be implemented to completion.

Human Rights Watch said in March that authorities were using violence and intimidation against opponents of the amendments.

SOURCE: AFP