Mnangagwa rejects ZANU PF proposal to extend term limit
The President of Zimbabwe ED Mnangagwa wants to leave power in 2028
There has been a growing concern within the ZANU PF party that has seen the party members want to extend the president's term beyond 2028.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to step down from the presidency and pave way for a new leader who is likely to be Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
The ZANU PF Youth League and Masvingo province started this year calling for President Mnangagwa to extend his term and go for a third term.
Taurai Kandishaya a ZANU PF youth leader held a press conference calling for President Mnangagwa to stay for a third term.
However, President Mnangagwa has said that he is a constitutionalist , he would not extend his term beyond 2028.
Mnangagwa's decision to limit himself to two terms reflects a critical departure from past leadership styles and positions him as a leader respectful of democratic norms and constitutional limitations.
The process of amending the constitution is rather complex , time-consuming and involves both houses of Parliament. The process would require ZANU PF to pass two bills within Parliament.
Succession politics has created a rift within the ZANU PF party where there are party supporters who want Vice President Constantino Chiwenga to succeed President Mnangagwa while die hard ED supporters want the president to rule beyond the constitutional term limit.
Chiwenga's influence in the party is seriously backed by the military. He was the architect of Mugabe's removal from power and he would like to assume the presidency as per the agreement with the coup conspirators.
There is a speculation that the coup agreement outlined that President Mnangagwa would leave power to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
However, there are other potential successors to President Mnangagwa who are July Moyo a cabinet minister and Christopher Mutsvangwa who is the ZANU PF spokesperson.
The ZANU PF party is waiting for President Mnangagwa to name a successor but Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is expecting to takeover from President Mnangagwa.
