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Zimbabwe Extends Presidential Terms, Sparks Outrage and Protests

2/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Zimbabwe's cabinet approved a bill on February 10, 2023, to amend the constitution, extending presidential terms from five to seven years.
This amendment allows President Emmerson Mnangagwa to potentially remain in power until 2030 and proposes that the president be elected by parliament rather than by popular vote.
The bill also increases the Senate size by permitting the president to appoint 10 additional senators.
Opposition leader Jameson Timba criticized the amendments as "politically destabilising," and the Defend the Constitution Platform plans to consult legal experts to oppose the changes.
Recent protests against Mnangagwa's extended tenure faced police crackdowns.

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Story summary

Zimbabwe's cabinet approved a bill on February 10, 2023, to amend the constitution, extending presidential terms from five to seven years.
This amendment allows President Emmerson Mnangagwa to potentially remain in power until 2030 and proposes that the president be elected by parliament rather than by popular vote.
The bill also increases the Senate size by permitting the president to appoint 10 additional senators.
Opposition leader Jameson Timba criticized the amendments as "politically destabilising," and the Defend the Constitution Platform plans to consult legal experts to oppose the changes.
Recent protests against Mnangagwa's extended tenure faced police crackdowns.