PREVIEW
Despite the economic chaos and his posturing, Mnangagwa wants to extend his presidency
Plans by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidency by two years to 2030, have exposed the internal divisions within the ruling party as factions battle for control (AC Vol 65 No 12, Government’s man subverts the resistance).
Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF secured a second term at last August’s general elections, the fairness of which was widely disputed by the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change and international observers, but his allies want to retain control of the party and are pushing for the president to stay in power (AC Vol 64 No 18, Legitimacy questions may spur talks).
The party’s annual congress in late October approved a resolution that aims to amend the national constitution.
However, Mnangagwa has said repeatedly that he does not intend to extend his presidency beyond two terms and 2028 – when he will be 86 years old – and this message was reported to party members by Legal Affairs Secretary Patrick Chinamasa at ZANU-PF’s Annual People’s Conference in Bulawayo.
‘We have our resolution, but we must understand coming from here, that it will not go anywhere because His Excellency is emphatic that when 2028 comes, he will not serve beyond that date,’ said Chinamasa.
That looks like a victory for Mnangagwa’s Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, one of the most likely successors, and who has made little secret of his own presidential ambitions.
Even so, party insiders expect more pressure to be piled on Mnangagwa to change his mind.
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