ZIMBABWE’S efforts to rebuild ties with the West, recently bolstered by the United Kingdom (UK)’s pledge to strengthen relations with the southern African country, risk being derailed by Zanu PF’s push to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office.
Analysts warn this move could further isolate Zimbabwe, undermining its progress toward re-engagement with the international community.
Relations between Zimbabwe and Western nations, particularly the UK and the United States (US), have been strained since 2002, when former president Robert Mugabe’s government embarked on a violent land redistribution programme targeting white farmers.
The move drew widespread condemnation over human rights violations and disregard for the rule of law.
The US imposed sanctions in 2003, citing corruption and abuses under Mugabe’s regime. These sanctions, updated under the Global Magnitsky orders in 2023, now include asset freezes and travel bans against Mnangagwa and his close associates.
The European Union (EU) followed with economic sanctions over allegations of electoral fraud and human rights abuses.
While some measures have been eased, the EU continues to call for significant political and economic reforms. Zimbabwe was also suspended from the Commonwealth in 2002, leading to its withdrawal in 2003 after the suspension was extended.
Despite Mnangagwa’s assurances that he would step down in 2028, Zanu PF resolved at its 2024 annual conference in Bulawayo to extend his presidency to 2030.
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This decision has sparked internal divisions within the ruling party and condemnation from civil society organisations.
Mnangagwa, who rose to power through a military coup in 2017, has held gatherings at his Kwekwe farm with Zanu PF affiliates who are pushing the 2030 agenda.
The plan to amend the constitution is gaining momentum, with Zanu PF legislator Energy Mutodi expected to table a motion in Parliament soon.
This has drawn criticism from international observers, including the EU, the Commonwealth, and the US, which have questioned the legitimacy of Zimbabwe’s 2018 and 2023 elections. The Southern African Development Community also issued an adverse report for the 2023 polls, which they said did not meet international democratic standards.
Mnangagwa initially sought to distance himself from Mugabe’s autocratic leadership style to restore ties with the West.
However, critics argue that Zanu PF’s push for constitutional amendments reflects a retreat into authoritarianism.
Human rights lawyer Musa Kika has described the proposed changes as “disastrous”, arguing that altering term limits undermined principles of limited government and democracy.
In an article titled Mutilating the Constitution: ED’s Perilous Power Retention Agenda, Kika explained that changing term limits violated the “basic structure doctrine”.
“Substantively, changing term limits goes against principles of limited government and democracy,” reads the article in part.
“Thus, regressive nations of the world recognise what is known as ‘unconstitutional constitutional amendments’ or the ‘basic structure doctrine’, which states that certain parts of a constitution are so central to its fabric that they cannot be amended without mutilating its basic scheme.”
Examples of countries which have amended national constitutions to prolong the tenure of their leaders include Russia (Vladimir Putin), Uganda (Yoweri Museveni), Rwanda (Paul Kagame), China (Xi Jinping), Burundi (Pierre Nkurunziza) and Chad (Idriss Déby).
Stephen Chan, a professor of world politics at the University of London, observed that amending the constitution without the backing of the electorate through a referendum would be deemed “undemocratic” and further isolated Zimbabwe.
“The push to rejoin the Commonwealth has stalled for now and is unlikely to regain traction any time soon. Zimbabwe will have to start again with overtures to the new Commonwealth secretary-general,” he said.
Ghana’s former foreign minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey was nominated as the new secretary-general in October, taking over from Patricia Scotland.
“But, basically, in terms of relations with the Western liberal world, extending term limits would be seen as non-democratic unless constitutional change were validated by a national referendum.”
With US President Donald Trump returning to the White House, Chan added that relations between Washington and Harare were likely to remain the same.
“But this simply means it is not important enough for Trump to spend time and energy on it,” he said.
Political analyst Ruben Mbofana echoed these concerns, warning that the amendment would deepen Zimbabwe’s rift with Western nations, which value democratic governance and constitutionalism as cornerstones of political stability.
“Amending the constitution to extend President Mnangagwa’s term limit would likely undermine Zimbabwe’s efforts to mend relations with the West,” he said.
“Western nations place a high premium on democratic governance, adherence to constitutionalism, and respect for term limits as pillars of political stability and accountability.
“Such a move would be seen as backtracking on these principles, reinforcing the perception of Zimbabwe as a country unwilling to embrace democratic reforms.”
If the push to amend the constitution succeeds, Tshwane University associate professor Ricky Mukonza noted Zimbabwe would roll back the constitutional gains made over the past decade.
Zimbabwe replaced its Lancaster constitution in 2013.
“Extending the constitutional term limit for the President creates unnecessary problems for the government of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“It gives an impression that we have gone back to the Mugabe era where the President only leaves office to his grave.”
Western countries have repeatedly called on Harare to roll out a raft of changes, including electoral reforms, and upholding human rights.
