Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he will step down at the end of his current term in 2028, dismissing growing calls within his ZANU PF party to extend his tenure through constitutional amendments.
Addressing a group of editors in Harare on Monday, Mnangagwa reaffirmed his commitment to the constitution, asserting that he would leave office after completing his two terms, thus paving the way for the election of his successor.
“I have my two terms, and when the time comes, the country and the party will move on by electing my successor. I have said clearly that I have two terms, and these two terms are definite,” Mnangagwa told the editors at State House.
“When they come to an end, I will step aside and my party will elect my successor. That is as clear as day. Those who have other imaginations, we have a democratic society that allows them to dream.”
This marks the latest instance over the past few years in which Mnangagwa has publicly committed to not seeking an extension beyond his second term, countering persistent pushback from within ZANU PF and various groups advocating for a prolonged presidency.
A faction within the ruling party has been actively pushing for constitutional amendments to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency until 2030, a proposal that critics argue undermines Zimbabwe’s democratic framework.
These efforts have faced resistance from war veterans, civil society organisations, the church and some ZANU PF members who have expressed their concerns over the potential impact on the country’s democratic processes.
JN/APA