Presidential Elections Scrapped As Zimbabwe Extends Leader’s Rule To 2030

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law sweeping constitutional amendments that will extend his term by two years until 2030 and scrap direct presidential elections.

The changes, announced on Tuesday, have angered opposition figures, who have described the move as a “constitutional coup” aimed at cementing the ruling Zanu-PF party’s grip on power.

Senior Information Ministry official Nick Mangwana confirmed the development on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED — IT’S NOW LAW,” along with a copy of the newly enacted legislation.

One of the most significant changes is a clause that increases the presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. Another amendment shifts the power to choose the president from voters to parliament, ending direct presidential elections that have been in place since 1987.

The constitutional amendments passed both houses of parliament before being finalised by the National Assembly last week.

Critics say the reforms will cement the dominance of Mnangagwa’s Zanu-PF party, which has ruled the resource-rich southern African nation since independence in 1980.

The opposition, weakened by years of alleged repression and disputed elections, has been a fierce critic of the changes.

Mnangagwa, 83, known as “The Crocodile” for his reputation for political ruthlessness, took office in 2017 after a military-backed coup ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years.