Zimbabwe’s Power Grab: Mnangagwa Seeks to Extend Rule Until 2030, Undermining Democratic Principles

In a maneuver that threatens the constitutional order and fuels authoritarianism in Africa, Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party has announced plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years—potentially allowing the 83-year-old leader to stay in power until 2030. This move bypasses the country’s constitutional mandate that limits presidents to two five-year terms, scheduled for completion by Mnangagwa in 2028. The resolution passed at the party's annual conference in Mutare calls for legislative changes to rewrite term limits, signaling a blatant attempt to consolidate power beyond democratic norms. The jubilant response from party delegates reflects not grassroots consent but a...