Wednesday, June 24, 2026- Zimbabwe's Senate has approved a controversial constitutional amendment bill that would extend presidential terms from five years to seven years and delay the country's next presidential election from 2028 to 2030.
The measure would allow President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office for an additional two years if it becomes law. The bill passed comfortably in the Senate after previously securing the required two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, marking a significant political victory for the ruling ZANU-PF party.
The proposed changes go beyond extending presidential terms. Reports indicate the amendment would also shift the presidential election process from a direct public vote to selection by lawmakers, a move that has triggered strong criticism from opposition groups, legal experts, and civil society organizations.
Critics argue that such major constitutional changes should be approved through a national referendum, while supporters insist the reforms remain constitutional because they do not remove existing term limits.
The bill now awaits the signature of President Mnangagwa to become law. Its approval has intensified debate about democratic governance, electoral reform, and political succession in Zimbabwe.
With legal challenges already emerging and opposition voices promising further resistance, the constitutional changes are likely to remain one of the most closely watched political developments in Africa throughout 2026.
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