Zimbabwe Justice Minister Introduces Bill to Extend President’s Term
Zimbabwe’s justice minister on Tuesday introduced a constitutional amendment bill in Parliament that would extend the tenure of the country’s 83-year-old president and shift presidential elections from a direct popular vote to selection by lawmakers. The proposal would defer elections due in 2028 by two years and extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term to 2030. It would also lengthen the terms of the president, MPs, councilors and mayors from five to seven years. The move has heightened political tensions in a country where critics of the government have often been detained or harassed. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi last week said he aims to complete the legislative process and have the measure passed by Parliament by the end of June, after which Mnangagwa can sign it into law. Mnangagwa has been in power since 2017 following the popular military-backed ouster of his mentor and longtime ruler, Robert Mugabe, who died in 2019. The ruling ZANU-PF party holds a majority in Parliament and also enjoys warm relations with a faction of the splintered opposition. Critics argue that extending presidential terms requires a referendum, while supporters counter that Parliament can approve the changes because the two-term limit would remain in place, even if each term would now be longer. Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court has yet to rule on several legal challenges to the proposal.
What’s reported
Zimbabwe’s justice minister introduced a constitutional amendment bill in Parliament on Tuesday.
The bill would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term to 2030 by deferring 2028 elections by two years.
It would shift presidential elections from direct popular vote to selection by lawmakers.
Terms for the president, MPs, councilors and mayors would lengthen from five to seven years.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi aims to have the measure passed by Parliament by the end of June.
Mnangagwa has been in power since 2017 after the ouster of Robert Mugabe.
The ruling ZANU-PF party holds a majority in Parliament and has warm relations with an opposition faction.
Critics say a referendum is required; supporters say Parliament can approve the changes because the two-term limit remains.
Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court has not yet ruled on legal challenges to the proposal.
Open questions
The article does not specify whether a referendum is legally required under Zimbabwe’s constitution.
Key figures
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi
President Emmerson Mnangagwa
Robert Mugabe (former ruler, mentioned as historical figure)
Ruling ZANU-PF party
Sources: abcnews.com
