Zimbabwe considers controversial presidential term-extension bill

Zimbabwe's government has introduced a controversial constitutional amendment bill that could extend presidential terms and alter the country's electoral system. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi presented the bill to parliament, which includes provisions to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term until 2030 and abolish general presidential elections in favor of parliamentary appointment.

The proposed changes, approved by the cabinet in February, would also extend the terms of lawmakers from five to seven years. The amendment faces significant opposition and is expected to encounter legal challenges, despite the ruling Zanu-PF party's overwhelming majority in parliament. The party has governed Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980.

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the government was determined to push the measure through a parliamentary debate.

Minister Ziyambi asserted that the government is determined to pass the measure, claiming a 90-day public consultation process was successful and garnered widespread support. However, opponents dispute this, alleging that the consultations were marred by intimidation, violence, and arrests of anti-amendment activists by suspected state agents.

Critics contend that the bill aims to entrench the Zanu-PF party's power, pointing to the party's long rule, which has been associated with severe economic crises, corruption allegations, and repression. Mnangagwa himself came to power in 2017 through a military-backed coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, who had led the country for 30 years. Mnangagwa has already served two five-year terms, the constitutional limit, having been elected in 2018 and 2023.

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a 90-day public consultation process was successful and widely supported.