The United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA), an opposition political party, has publicly called for resistance against proposed constitutional amendments recently approved by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Cabinet. In a formal statement, the UZA urged Zimbabwean citizens, civil society organizations, and the international community to oppose the measures, which the party described as a threat to democratic principles.
The government’s Cabinet has given its approval to the principles of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, allowing the proposed legislation to proceed to the next stage of the parliamentary process.
In its statement, the UZA characterized the proposed changes as “a direct assault on democracy.” The party called on various groups to take action to prevent the amendments from being enacted into law. The specific contents of the amendment bill have not been fully published, but the UZA’s opposition is centered on concerns that the changes could alter provisions related to executive power and term limits.
This development occurs amid public statements from some members of the ruling ZANU-PF party suggesting President Mnangagwa should serve beyond his current term. The 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe limits the president to two five-year terms. President Mnangagwa is currently serving his second term, which is set to conclude in 2028, making him ineligible to run for re-election under current law.
Supporters of the president within ZANU-PF have publicly expressed a desire for him to continue in office, using slogans such as “2030 vaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo,” which translates to “Mnangagwa will still be there in 2030.”
Government officials have not publicly stated that the amendments are intended to extend presidential term limits. Information released following Cabinet meetings has indicated that proposed changes may relate to other constitutional provisions, including the extension of quotas for female representation in Parliament and modifications to judicial appointments.
For the constitutional amendments to become law, the bill must be presented before Parliament, where it requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the National Assembly and the Senate. The ruling ZANU-PF party currently holds the necessary majority to pass such legislation.
The UZA’s statement places it among various opposition and civil society voices that have expressed concern over potential constitutional changes following the 2023 general election. The debate now focuses on the legislative process and the final text of the amendment bill that will be presented to lawmakers for consideration.
