Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed a constitutional amendment extending his current term by two years to 2030. The 83-year-old leader declined to submit the amendment to a public referendum despite mounting pressure to do so. The new law also overhauls the electoral process, shifting from direct presidential votes to a system where Parliament selects the head of state, a change that critics fear will further cement the ruling ZANU-PF party’s dominance. Supporters argue the reforms will promote political stability and attract investment, but critics say they will only weaken democratic institutions. Mnangagwa took office in 2017 after ousting longtime ruler Robert Mugabe, initially raising hopes for reform that have since faded. His 2023 re-election was criticized internationally for irregularities and intimidation.
The New York Times