CIVICUS speaks with civic educator and activist Munashe Masiyiwa about a recent proposal to extend presidential terms in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s ruling Zimbabwe African National Union — Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party has proposed extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years to 2030, despite constitutional limits of two five-year terms that should end his presidency in 2028. While Mnangagwa has publicly committed to stepping down in 2028, his party has also suggested removing term limits altogether, though no details have been provided on how such changes would be implemented. The two-term limit was established in 2013 under longtime president Robert Mugabe, who ensured the new rule wouldn’t apply retroactively. Mugabe was ousted in 2017 after 37 years in power.
