Zimbabwe’s lower house of parliament has approved a constitutional amendment bill that would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term by two years and potentially allow him to serve two additional seven-year terms. The measure, which now moves to the Senate for approval, would also increase the length of elected officials’ terms from five to seven years and delay the next elections from 2028 to 2030. If fully enacted, these changes could keep Mnangagwa in power for an extended period, potentially until he is 101 years old.

A key feature of the proposed amendment is the replacement of direct presidential elections with a parliamentary vote, a significant alteration to Zimbabwe’s political system. Activists and critics warn that this could, similar to precedents set in countries like Ivory Coast and Uganda, allow Mnangagwa to reset the term limits and consolidate power further. Mnangagwa, who took office nearly a decade ago after ousting Robert Mugabe, is currently 83 years old.

The government defends the bill as a necessary adjustment to align electoral cycles and improve governance. The Senate, dominated by Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanu-PF party, is expected to approve the legislation without significant opposition. However, the bill has exposed divisions within the ruling party and among veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, who remain an influential political group.

Some retired generals and former senior officials have openly opposed the amendment and have sought to challenge it in court. Their dissent signals a notable rift between the president and the military establishment, prompting concerns about potential instability or even the risk of a coup. Observers also suggest that the opposition to the bill could catalyze the formation of a new political resistance movement, potentially uniting disaffected factions within Zanu-PF.

The amendments come amid a broader context of political and economic challenges for Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa’s presidency, initially welcomed with optimism as a chance to attract foreign investment and mend relations with Western countries, has struggled to deliver significant economic recovery. Persistent debt arrears have kept Zimbabwe excluded from many international lending platforms, hampering efforts to stabilize the economy.

Critics argue that the constitutional changes represent an attempt by Zanu-PF to entrench its hold on power, effectively redesigning state institutions to favor the ruling party. According to governance experts, these shifts could signal a return to dynamics reminiscent of a one-party state.

The proposed amendments mark a significant turning point in Zimbabwe’s political trajectory, raising questions about the country’s democratic future and the legacy of Mnangagwa’s leadership nearly ten years after succeeding Mugabe’s decades-long rule.