KEY POINTS
- Civic groups mobilize against President Mnangagwa’s third-term ambitions.
- Efforts include national mobilization and a “Vote No” campaign in case of a referendum.
- The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is leading the charge.
Civic groups under the banner of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition are rallying to block attempts by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his loyalists to extend his term beyond the constitutionally mandated two-term limit.
Mnangagwa, who has held power since 2017, is allowed under Zimbabwe’s constitution to remain in office until 2028, completing two five-year terms that he officially began in 2018.
Mnangagwa’s allies push for extension
However, recent months have seen a rise in efforts by his loyalists to push for an extension beyond 2028, under the controversial ED2030 agenda. Although Mnangagwa publicly denies ambitions to overstay his mandate, widespread belief persists that he is backing the effort behind the scenes.
According to Zimlive, the ED2030 agenda is spearheaded by Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanu PF party, with surprising support from some lawmakers of the opposition CCC. Extending the 82-year-old leader’s presidency beyond the two-term limit would require substantial constitutional amendments, along with two referendums demanding a majority Yes vote—a process that many view as a long-shot but potentially feasible with the right political maneuvering.
In response to these developments, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition issued a strongly worded communique declaring its commitment to blocking any attempts to manipulate the country’s supreme law for personal gain. The Coalition held a meeting on Wednesday, where participants from a wide range of sectors—including labor, the church, business, students, women’s groups, war veterans, political parties, and parliamentarians—came together to strategize.
Civic groups unite to resist amendments
The communique emphasized the urgency of mobilizing citizens across Zimbabwe to resist the proposed amendments. The Coalition pledged to build a broad-based, inclusive movement to defend the nation’s democratic space, stressing the need to engage various stakeholders, including media outlets, diplomats, community organizers, and rapid response teams.
“This comprehensive approach is designed to unite people across all sectors of society, to engage citizens at every level, and to resist any efforts that undermine our constitutional principles,” the communique stated. The Coalition is also focused on raising awareness, ensuring citizens understand the implications of constitutional changes, and safeguarding the integrity of Zimbabwe’s democratic processes.
A key step in the Coalition’s strategy is organizing an all-stakeholder convention, which would include political parties, civil society organizations, and the public at large. The convention would help galvanize a collective “Vote No” campaign, in preparation for a referendum on any constitutional amendments.
Additionally, the group is exploring other constitutionally permissible avenues to resist efforts to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency, including mass mobilizations, protests, diplomatic discussions, and public interest litigation.
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition condemned the proposed amendments as “self-serving political maneuvers” by a small group of politicians prioritizing personal ambitions over the broader interests of the Zimbabwean people. The group’s commitment to upholding democracy remains unwavering as it seeks to block any attempts to erode the country’s constitutional limits.
