WASHINGTON, United States – A senior United States lawmaker has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa against moves to extend his rule beyond the constitutionally mandated limit, saying such an attempt would undermine Zimbabwe’s fragile democracy.
Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Washington was watching developments in Harare closely after Zanu PF last weekend adopted a resolution to begin the process of amending the Constitution to keep Mnangagwa in power until 2030.
“President Mnangagwa swore to strengthen the pillars of Zimbabwe’s democracy and accept term limits,” Meeks said in a statement. “Extending his term would erode that foundation.”
Under the current constitution, Mnangagwa must step down in 2028 after serving two five-year terms. But the ruling party’s annual conference in Mutare last weekend directed the government to “initiate the requisite legislative amendments” to allow him to stay on for two more years.
Hundreds of delegates cheered as the motion passed. Zanu PF, in power since independence in 1980, holds a commanding majority in parliament, giving it a clear path to pass the amendments. However, constitutional experts have warned that extending a sitting president’s term could require approval in two separate referendums.
Mnangagwa, 83, has previously described himself as a “constitutionalist” and insisted he would not seek to overstay his mandate. But allies within the party have been pushing for him to remain in office until 2030, arguing that he needs more time to consolidate his economic vision.
The plan has exposed deepening divisions within Zanu PF, particularly between Mnangagwa loyalists and supporters of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who led the 2017 coup that toppled Robert Mugabe.
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