Africa-Press. Zimbabwe’s cabinet has approved a bill to amend the constitution by extending the presidential term from five to seven years, a move that would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
The proposed changes also include a provision to have the president elected by parliament rather than through a direct popular vote.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said at a press conference that the bill would be submitted to the speaker of parliament and published in the official gazette before being debated by lawmakers.
Mnangagwa was due to step down in 2028 after completing two five-year terms, amid an internal succession struggle within the ruling ZANU-PF party.
He came to power following a military coup that ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe in 2017. Opposition politicians have strongly condemned the ruling party’s efforts to extend his tenure.
Jameson Timba, a senior figure in Zimbabwe’s divided opposition, said in a statement that the cabinet’s approval of the amendments “undermines political stability.” He added that a group known as the “Constitutional Defence Platform” would immediately consult lawyers and brief regional and international partners as part of efforts to oppose the changes.
