July 7, 2026, 7:33 p.mJuly 7, 2026, 7:33 p.m
Even at 83 years old, President Emmerson Mnangagwa still hasn’t had enough.Image: keystone
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa (83) will be allowed to remain in office for two years longer and thus until 2030 following a constitutional change. The law, which parliament passed in June with 216 out of 258 votes, was published in the official gazette after the head of state signed it.
The presidential term is extended from five to seven years. The head of state of the country in southern Africa will in future be elected by representatives and no longer directly by the people.
The draft law has caused great political tension in the former British colony with around 16 million inhabitants. The opposition’s lawsuits before the Constitutional Court failed.
Mnangagwa (83) came to power in 2017 after the military overthrew long-time ruler Robert Mugabe. His ruling party, Zanu-PF, has a majority in parliament. (sda/dpa)