Zimbabwe Senate Approves Constitutional Amendment to Extend Presidential Term

Zimbabwe’s Senate has approved a controversial constitutional amendment that could keep President Emmerson Mnangagwa in power until 2030.

The amendment was passed after 75 senators voted in favour, while four opposed the move. The bill will now go to President Mnangagwa for his signature before it becomes law.

The changes would extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five years to seven years and would allow the president to be chosen by parliament instead of through a direct public election.

The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), which has governed Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, holds a majority in parliament and supports the amendment.

Opposition groups and critics have described the move as a “constitutional coup”, arguing that it could strengthen the ruling party’s control over the country.

Mnangagwa came to power in 2017 after the military removed former leader Robert Mugabe, who had ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades.

Human rights groups have also raised concerns, alleging that people opposing the amendment have faced intimidation, arrests, and violence.

If signed into law, the amendment will change Zimbabwe’s presidential election system and extend the current leader’s stay in office.

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