Zimbabwe Faces Political Crisis Over Mnangagwa's Potential Term Extension

Zimbabwe is on the brink of a political crisis as factions within the ruling ZANU-PF party push to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's tenure beyond the constitutional limit of two terms. Despite Mnangagwa's public commitment to leave office at the end of his second term in 2028, several key provincial party structures and wings, including the Women’s League and Youth League, have endorsed resolutions calling for him to stay in power.
Recent reports from Zimbabwe's NewsDay newspaper reveal that ZANU-PF's provincial coordinating committees have been meeting across the country to endorse the extension of Mnangagwa’s rule. The endorsement will be formally presented at the ZANU-PF national people’s conference in Bulawayo next month, with resolutions from various provinces and party wings urging Mnangagwa to continue leading beyond 2028. These moves are portrayed by party officials like Munyaradzi Machacha, the ZANU-PF national political commissar, as part of the party's democratic processes, though they contradict Mnangagwa’s earlier declaration to step down.
The constitutional term limit, introduced following the fall of former President Robert Mugabe, currently restricts any president to two five-year terms. However, some factions within ZANU-PF, led by figures such as Harare Province's chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa, are advocating for amendments that could extend the term limit or abolish it entirely. The proposed changes could even push Mnangagwa’s rule to 2030.
Extending Mnangagwa’s term requires amending several sections of Zimbabwe's constitution, including Section 91, which would involve a lengthy legislative process. Analysts argue that even if such an amendment is passed, it would not apply to Mnangagwa due to the stipulations of Section 328(7), which holds that any changes to term limits do not apply to the sitting president. To bypass this, the section itself would need to be repealed, a move that would require a public referendum.
Legal experts, such as human rights lawyer Nqobani Sithole, warn that any attempt to extend Mnangagwa's presidency could constitute a "constitutional coup." The controversy is exacerbated by internal divisions within ZANU-PF, with some members like Mnangagwa's advisor, Eddie Cross, dismissing the ambitions of potential successors like Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who is seen as a natural successor.
Extending Mnangagwa's tenure could trigger significant political unrest, mirroring past situations in Africa where leaders have attempted to stay in power beyond constitutional limits. For example, in Guinea, President Alpha Condé's attempt to extend his rule resulted in a military coup in 2021. Analysts like Dr. Ibbo Mandaza, a Zimbabwean public policy expert, argue that extending Mnangagwa’s rule could destabilize the country further, undermine democratic institutions, and set a dangerous precedent for future leaders.
Zimbabwe faces a critical juncture as ZANU-PF's internal power struggle intensifies over Mnangagwa's future. With constitutional hurdles and public dissent mounting, the country's democratic fabric hangs in the balance. The political maneuvers to extend Mnangagwa’s term could unleash a crisis that reverberates beyond Zimbabwe, posing risks to regional stability and governance standards in Southern Africa.