Zimbabwe's President Signs Law Extending Term Until 2030

On July 7, 2026, Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed constitutional amendments into law that eliminate direct presidential elections, delay the upcoming 2028 election by two years, and extend his term until 2030. The revised constitution allows Parliament, rather than the public, to elect the president and increases both presidential and parliamentary term lengths from five to seven years. Though Mnangagwa had previously committed to stepping down after his second term in 2028, his ruling ZANU-PF party, with support from some opposition lawmakers, advanced the controversial changes.

The amendments have sparked widespread criticism from civil society, opposition members, human rights lawyers, and veterans of the independence war, who argue the changes should have required a national referendum. Despite this, supporters claim the constitutional term limit of two terms remains intact. The reforms have fueled political unrest, with reports of meetings being banned and government critics being arrested or intimidated. Legal challenges to the amendments are pending in Zimbabwe's courts. Mnangagwa has held power since 2017, after the military-led removal of former President Robert Mugabe.