• ZANU-PF supports extending President Mnangagwa’s mandate beyond 2028.
• Opposition condemns move as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
• Decision comes amid fragile economy and uncertain recovery outlook.

Zimbabwe’s ruling party, the ZANU-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front), announced on October 18 its decision to support extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term in office until 2030.

“it is resolved that his term of office as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe be extended beyond 2028 to 2030,” said Ziyambi Ziyambi, the party’s secretary for legal affairs, during the ZANU-PF’s 22nd Annual National People’s Conference.

Mnangagwa, 83, the country’s second president, came to power in November 2017 following the coup that ousted Robert Mugabe. First elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2023, his current term was due to end in 2028 under the 2013 Constitution, which limits presidents to two five-year terms.

The move immediately drew strong criticism from the opposition and civil society. “We will defend the constitution against its capture &manipulation to advance a dangerous unconstitutional anti people agenda .We will fight corrupt cartels & syndicates that have systematically looted Zimbabwe and now want to take over the State,” said former Finance Minister and lawyer Tendai Biti.

The announcement comes amid a fragile economic environment. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Zimbabwe’s growth fell to 1.7% in 2024, driven by a severe drought that hit crops and hydroelectric output. Despite the launch of the gold-backed Zimbabwe Gold (ZIG) currency, wide disparities persist between official and parallel exchange rates.

For 2025, the IMF projects growth to rebound to 6%, supported by an agricultural recovery, higher gold prices, and increased remittances from the diaspora. However, the outlook remains uncertain, weighed down by high fiscal needs and weak investor confidence in the government’s stabilization plan.