Zimbabwe cabinet agrees plan to extend president's term to 2030
## Regulation: Constitutional Amendments in Zimbabwe
Regulation: Constitutional Amendments in Zimbabwe
On Tue, Oct 31, 2023, Zimbabwe's cabinet approved significant amendments to the constitution. These changes aim to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term beyond 2028, with plans to extend the presidential term from five to seven years. Additionally, the proposal includes allowing parliament to elect the president instead of the general electorate.
The bill will be subject to "legal scrubbing" by the attorney general before publication in the government gazette and subsequent introduction to parliament, as stated by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi. The amendments require a two-thirds majority approval in both houses of parliament and are expected to be put to a national referendum.
The amendments aim to enhance political stability and ensure policy continuity for the completion of development programs. It includes provisions for the president to appoint an additional 10 senators, increasing the Senate to 90 seats. The changes are part of the ruling party's "2030 agenda," which has been under discussion for several months.
On Tue, Oct 31, 2023, Zimbabwe's cabinet approved significant amendments to the constitution.
The constitutional limit of two five-year presidential terms was established in 2013. President Mnangagwa was elected to a five-year term in 2018 and again in 2023. His administration has faced criticism for alleged corruption and human rights suppression. The opposition asserts that any amendment extending the presidential term should undergo a national referendum.
Opposition leaders and democracy advocates have voiced concerns that bypassing a referendum could lead to political instability. Demonstrations against the plan have faced police crackdowns. Critics argue that the proposed changes undermine the democratic framework and threaten the nation's constitutional integrity.
Zimbabwe's opposition, though fragmented, continues to resist the "2030 agenda." Concerns about the nation's economic challenges, including hyperinflation and unemployment, persist under Mnangagwa's leadership.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
