Zimbabwe’s lower house of parliament has approved a controversial bill that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s current term by two years and potentially allow him to serve two additional seven-year terms. The proposed legislation, if ratified by the upper house, would modify the constitution by lengthening electoral terms from five to seven years and delaying elections originally scheduled for 2028 until 2030. This adjustment would effectively keep Mnangagwa, who succeeded longtime ruler Robert Mugabe nearly a decade ago, in office until at least 2030.

Beyond extending terms, the bill introduces a significant shift in Zimbabwe’s political system by replacing direct presidential elections with a system whereby the president is chosen by parliament. Critics warn that this change could allow Mnangagwa to reset the count on his previous terms, similar to constitutional tactics employed by leaders in countries such as Ivory Coast and Uganda. Given Mnangagwa’s age of 83, he could theoretically remain in power until the age of 101 under the new framework.

The government defends the reforms as measures designed to harmonize electoral calendars and enhance governance. The bill completed its third and final reading in the National Assembly on Tuesday and now moves to the Senate for approval. Given that the Senate is controlled by the ruling Zanu-PF party, passage is widely anticipated to be a formality.

The proposal has sparked intense criticism from civil society and some political analysts who view it as an attempt to entrench Zanu-PF’s dominance ahead of future elections. Arthur Chikerema, a governance lecturer at Midlands State University, said, “Zanu-PF is redesigning institutions around the party,” raising concerns that Zimbabwe could regress toward a de facto one-party state.

The move has also exposed fractures within Zanu-PF and among influential veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, a key demographic that played a critical role in Mnangagwa’s rise to power. A faction of retired generals and former senior officials has publicly opposed the constitutional amendment, including mounting legal challenges. This dissent represents one of the clearest signs of discord between Mnangagwa and elements of the military, fueling speculation about possible instability.

Legal expert Siphosami Malunga noted that opposition within the ruling party could encourage the formation of new political resistance movements by marginalized groups within Zanu-PF, potentially reshaping Zimbabwe’s political landscape.

The constitutional changes mark a significant departure from the initial optimism that accompanied Mnangagwa’s ascent following Mugabe’s 37-year rule. Once viewed as a pragmatic reformer intent on attracting foreign investment and restoring ties with Western governments, Mnangagwa’s administration has struggled to revitalize Zimbabwe’s economy. The country remains largely isolated from international financial institutions due to unresolved debt arrears, compounding the challenges it faces amid increasing political uncertainty.