Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law controversial constitutional amendments extending his tenure by two years until 2030 and ending direct presidential elections, a move that has drawn strong criticism from opposition groups.
The amendments, announced on Tuesday, increase presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. Under the new law, Zimbabwe’s president will no longer be elected directly by citizens, with parliament now responsible for selecting the country’s leader.
Senior Information Ministry official Nick Mangwana confirmed the development on X, writing, “SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED — IT’S NOW LAW,” while sharing a copy of the legislation.
The constitutional changes had earlier been approved by both chambers of parliament before receiving final approval from the National Assembly.
Opposition leaders have condemned the reforms, describing them as a “constitutional coup” aimed at tightening the ruling Zanu-PF party’s grip on power. Critics argue the amendments weaken democratic governance in Zimbabwe, where Zanu-PF has remained in power since the country gained independence in 1980.
Mnangagwa, 83, popularly known as “The Crocodile” for his reputation as a shrewd political strategist, assumed office in 2017 after a military-backed coup ousted longtime president Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years.
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Only in Africa. ECOWAS won’t see this now