Zimbabwe Party Pushes Mnangagwa Term Extension to 2030, Sparks Political Rift

When Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe announced his intent to stay in office until 2030, the reaction was anything but muted.

On October 19, 2025, delegates gathered in Mutare for the ZANU-PF annual conferenceMutare, Zimbabwe. The ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front approved a resolution to amend the 2013 Constitution, effectively allowing Mnangagwa, who turned 83 this month, to extend his mandate by two more years beyond the constitutional ceiling of two five‑year terms.

Historical background and constitutional constraints

Since independence on April 18, 1980, ZANU-PF has dominated Zimbabwe’s political scene. The 2013 Constitution, ratified after a decade‑long reform process, introduced Section 99, a firm two‑term limit intended to prevent the kind of lifetime rule that characterised Robert Mugabe’s era.

Legal scholars at the University of Zimbabwe’s Faculty of Law point out that Section 328(4) prohibits any amendment to presidential term limits while a president is in office unless two national referendums are held – one to approve the amendment text and another to ratify it. In practice, that means any change would have to survive a public vote in at least two separate rounds, typically scheduled for the second half of 2026.

The conference resolution and the legal road ahead

The conference vote was loud and decisive. Hundreds of delegates cheered as the resolution passed, directing the government to "initiate the requisite legislative amendments" no later than November 30, 2025. The wording is deliberately vague, leaving room for the National Assembly – where ZANU-PF holds 190 of 280 seats – to draft a bill that could bypass the stricter amendment clause.

But constitutional experts warned that even a parliamentary majority cannot sidestep the double‑referendum requirement. If the proposed amendment reaches the president’s desk before the end of his current term in August 2028, the courts could deem it unconstitutional, forcing a judicial review that might land in the Supreme Court.

Factional split: Mnangagwa loyalists vs. Chiwenga camp

Behind the public show of unity, a rival faction is rallying around Constantino Chiwenga, the 68‑year‑old First Vice President and commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. Chiwenga helped usher Mnangagwa into power after the 2017 military intervention that removed Mugabe. Now he positions himself as the natural successor in the 2028 election.

Speaking to The East African in October, Chiwenga warned that "any attempt to rewrite the constitution for personal gain will erode the legitimacy of the party and the state." His supporters have already mobilised 42 provincial party structures, preparing to contest the amendment at the next Central Committee meeting slated for December 2025 in Harare.

International reaction and potential sanctions

Across the ocean, Gregory Meeks, ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a formal warning on October 20, saying, "President Mnangagwa swore to strengthen the pillars of Zimbabwe’s democracy and accept term limits. Extending his term would erode that foundation."

Later, USAID administrator Samantha Power cautioned that any breach of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA) could trigger a re‑imposition of targeted sanctions, undoing the partial relief granted in 2023.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat in Gaborone says it is monitoring the situation closely, noting similar controversies in Uganda (2017) and Rwanda (2015) that strained regional relations.

Economic stakes and public sentiment

Zimbabwe’s economy is walking a tightrope. The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency reported 5.5 % GDP growth in Q3 2025, but inflation remains sky‑high at 134.8 % YoY as of September. The "Zimbabwe Economic Recovery and Growth Plan" launched in 2021 promised stability, yet many citizens doubt that an extended presidency will deliver on those promises.

A September 2025 Afrobarometer survey found that 67 % of Zimbabweans opposed any constitutional change to lengthen a president’s term. The opposition, already fragmented, sees this as a flashpoint that could spark protests, especially in urban areas like Harare where youth unemployment sits above 30 %.

Outlook: timelines, referendums and possible fallout

If the government moves quickly, a draft amendment could be tabled in the National Assembly by the end of November. Assuming parliamentary approval, the first referendum might be scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, with a second vote later that year to satisfy the dual‑referendum clause.

Should the referendums fail or be blocked by the courts, Mnangagwa would still have to step down in August 2028, opening the field for Chiwenga or another contender. Conversely, a successful amendment could set a precedent, emboldening other leaders in the region to test constitutional limits.

Regardless of the outcome, the coming months will test Zimbabwe’s fragile democratic institutions, the unity of ZANU-PF, and the patience of international partners watching from afar.

Key takeaways

• Resolution passed at Mutare conference seeks constitutional amendment for term extension.
• Legal scholars say two national referendums are required under Section 328(4).
• Vice President Chiwenga heads an internal faction opposing the move.
• U.S. officials warn of possible re‑imposed sanctions under ZDERA.
• Afrobarometer poll shows 67 % public opposition to any extension.