Zimbabwe tables bill in parliament to extend president’s term

Zimbabwe’s government introduced a bill to parliament on Tuesday that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years to 2030.

The draft legislation is scheduled for a second reading on Tuesday. Mnangagwa, 83, is meant to step down in 2028 after serving two five-year terms. His supporters want to change the constitution to extend presidential terms from five to seven years and have presidents elected by parliament rather than by direct popular vote.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi introduced the bill in the lower house of parliament. Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF party holds a two-thirds majority in the lower house and also overwhelmingly controls the upper house through traditional leaders and other members. Ziyambi has said he expects the legislative process to take about a month.

ZANU-PF has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980, first under Robert Mugabe and then Mnangagwa, who took power after a 2017 coup.

On Tuesday, a group of retired generals and former civil servants publicly voiced opposition to the bill. They said they met with Mnangagwa last month to express their concerns. Some war veterans and activists have also challenged the bill in the Constitutional Court, which reserved judgment while considering their arguments.

The proposed changes would require a constitutional amendment, which needs a two-thirds majority in parliament. If passed, Mnangagwa could remain in office until 2030, extending his rule beyond the current two-term limit.

SOURCE: Reuters