Zimbabwe’s Ruling ZANU-PF Endorses Mnangagwa to Remain Leader Beyond 2028

CHINHOYI, ZIMBABWE — Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party has endorsed President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain its leader beyond 2028, deepening political debate over his future in power and the country’s constitutional direction.

The endorsement came on Sunday during a party gathering in Chinhoyi, where Mnangagwa addressed delegates and defended the ruling party’s political movement.

“We are a great people driven revolutionary movement which can never be stopped,” Mnangagwa told party delegates.

The development comes amid growing controversy over proposed constitutional changes that could extend presidential terms and alter the process of electing Zimbabwe’s head of state.

Constitutional Changes Raise Political Concerns

In July, Mnangagwa signed constitutional amendments extending presidential terms from five to seven years. Under the changes outlined, Zimbabwe’s next election would be postponed from 2028 to 2030, while the direct election of the president would be replaced by a parliamentary vote.

The changes have attracted criticism from opposition politicians, civil society groups and human rights organisations, which have raised concerns about their implications for democratic accountability and the country’s electoral process.

The proposed extension of presidential terms has also intensified questions about political succession in Zimbabwe, where the ruling party continues to navigate competing interests over its leadership.

ZANU-PF Faces Internal Succession Tensions

Despite Sunday’s endorsement, divisions remain within ZANU-PF over who should lead the country in the coming years.

One faction supports keeping Mnangagwa in power until 2030, aligning with efforts to extend his leadership beyond his current term. Another faction is reportedly preparing the ground for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, the former army general who played a central role in the 2017 military intervention that led to the removal of long-serving President Robert Mugabe.

The competing positions highlight the importance of succession politics within ZANU-PF as the party seeks to maintain its grip on power while managing internal rivalries.

Chiwenga’s role in the events that ended Mugabe’s nearly four-decade rule continues to shape his standing within Zimbabwe’s political establishment.

Opposition and Civil Society Concerns

The constitutional changes have raised broader questions about the separation of powers, electoral competition and the ability of Zimbabweans to directly choose their president.

Critics argue that changing presidential term limits and the election process could weaken democratic safeguards. The proposed shift from direct presidential elections to a parliamentary vote is particularly significant because it would change how executive leadership is determined.

Supporters of the changes within the ruling party, meanwhile, are seeking to maintain political continuity under Mnangagwa’s leadership.

The debate is likely to remain central to Zimbabwe’s political landscape as discussions over constitutional reform and succession continue.

What Lies Ahead for Zimbabwe?

ZANU-PF’s endorsement of Mnangagwa signals his continued influence within the ruling party, but it does not eliminate the internal competition surrounding his eventual successor.

The coming period will be crucial in determining how the constitutional changes proceed, how opposition groups respond and whether divisions within ZANU-PF deepen.

With the next election date and presidential selection process at the centre of the dispute, Zimbabwe’s political future will depend heavily on the outcome of the constitutional debate and the balance of power within the ruling party.