In a move that has drawn swift condemnation from the British government, Zimbabwe’s parliament has voted to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term until 2030, bypassing constitutional term limits. The ruling Zanu-PF party, which holds a supermajority, pushed through the amendment this week, effectively nullifying the two-term limit set in the 2013 constitution. The UK Foreign Office called it a “further erosion of democratic norms” and urged Harare to respect the will of its people.
For ordinary Zimbabweans, the decision is a bitter pill. With inflation at over 175% and unemployment above 80%, many are struggling to put bread on the table. The extension feels like a slap in the face to those who hoped for change after the ousting of Robert Mugabe in 2017. “We voted for a new dawn, but we got the same darkness,” said a Harare teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Now they tell us we must wait another 10 years? How do we eat?”
The amendment was passed with 299 votes in favour and 111 against, following a chaotic session where opposition MPs were ejected. Critics argue it is a bare-faced power grab, with Mnangagwa now set to lead until 2030, barring ill health or a coup. Analysts note that the move mirrors similar recent changes in the region, where the lines between presidency and monarchy have blurred.
Labour unions and civil society groups have promised protests, despite a brutal crackdown on dissent in recent years. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions called for a national stay-away, warning that the extension would worsen the country’s isolation and economic crisis. Meanwhile, Western powers have threatened sanctions, though their impact has been limited so far.
The UK’s response was pointed: “This is a decision that undermines democracy and the rule of law. The people of Zimbabwe deserve better.” But in the streets of Harare and Bulawayo, the sentiment is one of weary resignation. As one merchant in Mbare market put it: “Politicians eat from the same plate. We are left to fight over crumbs.”
