Mnangagwa presidency extension debate intensifies as Zimbabwe opposition vows nationwide resistance
Lovemore Madhuku, leader of Zimbabwe's opposition National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) party, has pledged to mobilise citizens against proposals to rewrite the country’s Constitution to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office and introduce other governance changes.
Madhuku, who was recently beaten by unknown assailants alongside his supporters for resisting the constitutional amendment, according to local reports, addressed party supporters at his office in Harare on March 7.
He said the NCA rejects plans by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu PF) and Mnangagwa to extend his time in office beyond 2028.
"The NCA's founding principles have been to advocate for constitutionalism, establishment of strong State institutions and observing the rule of law. What Zanu PF seeks to do must be resisted by all means; we will not allow them to strip citizens of the right to vote for the President of the country, extend the term of Parliament and sitting councillors without going to a referendum," said Madhuku.
In February, Zimbabwe’s cabinet backed draft legislation that could extend presidential terms from five to seven years. If approved, the proposal would allow 83-year-old President Mnangagwa, a longtime ally of former president Robert Mugabe and in power since 2017, to remain in office until 2030.
Madhuku, a University of Zimbabwe law professor, said his party will carry out a nationwide mobilisation campaign to encourage Zimbabweans to resist the proposed changes to the country’s Constitution.
Takudzwa Ngadziore, the youngest lawmaker in the Parliament of Zimbabwe, has also called for resistance to the proposed term extension. He described the move as a shift "from a military coup to a constitutional coup".
“This is not a call only for young people. It is a call for Zimbabweans: students, workers, informal traders, the elderly, even those within the ruling party who still believe in the ideals that gave birth to this country,” he told Global South World.
Ngadziore, who was elected to the National Assembly in 2023 under the youth quota representing Harare Province, also criticised Mnangagwa’s leadership.
“Young people cannot afford a basic, dignified standard of living. Parents cannot provide for their children. And yet you stand there and say you are a constitutionalist while your party advances a resolution to extend your term,” he said.
“I believe that what he's done is simply to raise a middle finger to a whole generation.”
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
