Zimbabwe's government has introduced a bill that could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term in office by two years, potentially allowing him to remain president until 2030. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the constitution by extending presidential terms from five years to seven years. Supporters argue the move would provide continuity and stability, while critics from the opposition and some liberation war veterans warn it could weaken democratic safeguards. The bill is set for parliamentary debate, making it a crucial moment for Zimbabwe's political future and constitutional framework.

Zimbabwe moves to extend Mnangagwa's presidency until 2030

Zimbabwe's election&nbsp;commission said late on Saturday that incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa had won this week's presidential election with roughly 53% of the vote, but the opposition and analysts immediately questioned the result.

Mnangagwa, who took over from longtime leader Robert Mugabe after a 2017 army coup, was widely expected to secure re-election for a second term as analysts said the contest was heavily skewed in favour of the ZANU-PF ruling party, which has been in power for more than four decades.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said Mnangagwa's main challenger, Nelson Chamisa, who leads the opposition Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) party, secured 44 percent of the presidential vote.

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ZANU-PF supporters started singing and cheering at the results centre after the elections commission said Mnangagwa had won.

A CCC spokesperson said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the party rejected "any result hastily assembled without proper verification".

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Mnangagwa had also narrowly defeated Chamisa at the last presidential election in 2018. The opposition alleges that election was rigged but the constitutional court upheld the result.

While the run-up to the election has been largely free from violence, the police routinely ban opposition rallies and arrest opposition supporters using Zimbabwe's tough public order laws.

ZANU-PF denies it has an unfair advantage or seeks to influence the outcome of elections through rigging.

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The head of the European Union's observer mission on Friday said this week's vote took place in a "climate of fear". Southern African regional bloc SADC's mission noted issues including voting delays, the banning of rallies and biased state media coverage.

Nicole Beardsworth, a politics lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, said she thought the late Saturday announcement was probably a response to the critique by SADC and other election observers.

"We all have a lot of questions about the speed with which ZEC is announcing presidential results," she said.

Voting in this week's presidential and parliamentary elections was meant to be wrapped up within one day on Wednesday, but it was extended into Thursday in some wards after the late distribution of ballot papers.

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Zimbabwe's election commission said late on Saturday that incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa had won this week's presidential election with roughly 53% of the vote, but the opposition and analysts immediately questioned the result.

Zimbabwe's election commission said late on Saturday that incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa had won this week's presidential election with roughly 53% of the vote, but the opposition and analysts immediately questioned the result. Mnangagwa, who took over from longtime leader Robert Mugabe after a 2017 army coup, was widely expected to secure re-election for a second term as analysts said the contest was heavily skewed in favour of the ZANU-PF ruling party, which has been in power for more than four decades. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said Mnangagwa's main challenger, Nelson Chamisa, who leads the opposition Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) party, secured 44 percent of the presidential vote. Also Read | At least two killed, one injured after Russian shelling hits cafe in Ukraine’s northeast ZANU-PF supporters started singing and cheering at the results centre after the elections commission said Mnangagwa had won. A CCC spokesperson said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the party rejected "any result hastily assembled without proper verification". Also Read | China sends ‘police experts’ to Vanuatu after pro-West PM loses power Mnangagwa had also narrowly defeated Chamisa at the last presidential election in 2018. The opposition alleges that election was rigged but the constitutional court upheld the result. While the run-up to the election has been largely free from violence, the police routinely ban opposition rallies and arrest opposition supporters using Zimbabwe's tough public order laws. ZANU-PF denies it has an unfair advantage or seeks to influence the outcome of elections through rigging. Watch | NASA's supersonic passenger flights are getting closer × The head of the European Union's observer mission on Friday said this week's vote took place in a "climate of fear". Southern African regional bloc SADC's mission noted issues including voting delays, the banning of rallies and biased state media coverage. Nicole Beardsworth, a politics lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, said she thought the late Saturday announcement was probably a response to the critique by SADC and other election observers. "We all have a lot of questions about the speed with which ZEC is announcing presidential results," she said. Voting in this week's presidential and parliamentary elections was meant to be wrapped up within one day on Wednesday, but it was extended into Thursday in some wards after the late distribution of ballot papers. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Zimbabwe’s president declared election winner again, opposition rejects result

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday that Zimbabwe's currency was under attack from businesses that were constantly hiking prices and this was part of a wider political plot against his government.

A year after the southern African nation ended a decade of dollarisation and reintroduced the Zimbabwe dollar, the local currency has tumbled on the black market, fuelling price increases and pushing inflation to 765%.

When Mnangagwa took over from Robert Mugabe in 2017 after an army coup, he promised to revive the economy, but life has become harder as people grapple with acute shortages of foreign currency, medicines and food, and unemployment above 80%.

"We are witnessing a relentless attack on our currency and the economy in general through exorbitant pricing models by the private sector," Mnangagwa told a meeting of his ruling ZANU-PF party's politburo in Harare.

"We are fully cognisant that this is a battle being fuelled by our political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are bent on pushing a nefarious agenda they will never win."

Economic analysts say the government's budget is under pressure from spending to combat the coronavirus outbreak, which will force authorities to resort to printing money, stoking inflation further.

Inflation is seen ending this year way above the central bank and treasury's target of 50% due to a weak exchange rate and shortages of food following a drought.

Mnangagwa said reports last month of three opposition activists who were allegedly abducted and tortured by state security agents were part of coordinated plan to cause unrest.

The activists are receiving treatment in hospital and have been charged with taking part in an illegal protest and breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.

On Wednesday, United Nations human rights experts urged Zimbabwean authorities to "urgently prosecute and punish the perpetrators of this outrageous crime".

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday that Zimbabwe's currency was under attack from businesses that were constantly hiking prices and this was part of a wider political plot against his government.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday that Zimbabwe's currency was under attack from businesses that were constantly hiking prices and this was part of a wider political plot against his government. A year after the southern African nation ended a decade of dollarisation and reintroduced the Zimbabwe dollar, the local currency has tumbled on the black market, fuelling price increases and pushing inflation to 765%. When Mnangagwa took over from Robert Mugabe in 2017 after an army coup, he promised to revive the economy, but life has become harder as people grapple with acute shortages of foreign currency, medicines and food, and unemployment above 80%. "We are witnessing a relentless attack on our currency and the economy in general through exorbitant pricing models by the private sector," Mnangagwa told a meeting of his ruling ZANU-PF party's politburo in Harare. "We are fully cognisant that this is a battle being fuelled by our political detractors, elite opportunists and malcontents who are bent on pushing a nefarious agenda they will never win." Economic analysts say the government's budget is under pressure from spending to combat the coronavirus outbreak, which will force authorities to resort to printing money, stoking inflation further. Inflation is seen ending this year way above the central bank and treasury's target of 50% due to a weak exchange rate and shortages of food following a drought. Mnangagwa said reports last month of three opposition activists who were allegedly abducted and tortured by state security agents were part of coordinated plan to cause unrest. The activists are receiving treatment in hospital and have been charged with taking part in an illegal protest and breaking coronavirus lockdown rules. On Wednesday, United Nations human rights experts urged Zimbabwean authorities to "urgently prosecute and punish the perpetrators of this outrageous crime".

Zimbabwe president says currency under attack as prices spiral

Nicknamed &quot;the Crocodile&quot; for his ruthlessness, Emmerson Mnangagwa who will take over as Zimbabwe&#39;s next president, is a hardliner with ties to the military who could prove as authoritarian as his mentor Robert Mugabe.&nbsp;

It was his political ambition to take over which set off a bitter succession battle between him and Grace, the president&#39;s 52-year-old wife, triggering the crisis that toppled the autocrat, who resigned on Tuesday.&nbsp;

When Mnangagwa was dismissed as vice president by Mugabe on November 6, it initially looked like he&#39;d been outfoxed by the first lady, forcing him to flee the country.&nbsp;

But the situation quickly turned on its head, with his dismissal triggering a military takeover and mass street protests, which ended with Mugabe&#39;s ouster and Mnangagwa catapulted to centre stage.&nbsp;

With the nation still reeling from Mugabe&#39;s lightning demise, the 75-year-old was to make a triumphant return home on Wednesday and be sworn in as president on Friday.&nbsp;

A former close Mugabe ally, Mnangagwa&#39;s fall from grace appears to have been engineered by the first lady, who lobbied her husband to back her own political ambitions.

It was the climax of a long feud between the pair over who would replace the ailing and increasingly frail 93-year-old leader.&nbsp;

But Mnangagwa&#39;s dismissal alarmed the army, with the generals quickly moving in, staging a military takeover which brought him down within days.&nbsp;

Political veteran&nbsp;

Mnangagwa&#39;s rise to the top comes after decades of experience under Mugabe since Zimbabwe won independence from Britain in 1980.&nbsp;

In the early days, Mugabe appointed Mnangagwa, a young trainee lawyer, as Zimbabwe&#39;s first minister for national security.&nbsp;

After that, he held a host of different cabinet positions - but relations between him and his political mentor were not always easy, and the younger man was no stranger to presidential purges.&nbsp;

In 2004, he lost his post as administrative secretary in the ruling ZANU-PF after being accused of openly angling for the post of vice president.

Violence and intimidation

But it was during the 2008 elections that his fortunes really began to change when he was serving as head of Mugabe&#39;s election campaign.&nbsp;

Mugabe lost the first round vote, and Mnangagwa allegedly supervised the wave of violence and intimidation that forced the opposition to pull out of the run-off vote.

In the same year, he took over as head of the Joint Operations Command, a committee of security chiefs which was accused by rights groups of organising violence to crush dissent.

He was targeted by EU and US sanctions imposed on Mugabe and his close allies over the elections and the ensuing violence but was promptly handed control of the powerful defence ministry.

A young fighter&nbsp;

Born in the southwestern Zvishavane district on September 15, 1942, Mnangagwa completed his early education in Zimbabwe before his family relocated to neighbouring Zambia.

His grandfather was a traditional leader and his father a political agitator for the repeal of colonial laws that disadvantaged blacks.

In 1966, Mnangagwa joined the struggle for independence from Britain, becoming one of the young combatants who helped direct the war after undergoing training in China and Egypt.

He was arrested and sentenced to death but his sentence was later commuted to 10 years in prison because of his young age.

After independence in 1980, he directed a brutal crackdown on opposition supporters that claimed thousands of lives in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.

The Gukurahundi massacres remain the biggest scar on his reputation among many Zimbabweans.

He once remarked that he had been taught to &quot;destroy and kill&quot; - although he later claimed to be a born-again Christian.&nbsp;

Emmerson Mnangagwa is nicknamed 'the Crocodile' for his ruthlessness

Nicknamed "the Crocodile" for his ruthlessness, Emmerson Mnangagwa who will take over as Zimbabwe's next president, is a hardliner with ties to the military who could prove as authoritarian as his mentor Robert Mugabe. It was his political ambition to take over which set off a bitter succession battle between him and Grace, the president's 52-year-old wife, triggering the crisis that toppled the autocrat, who resigned on Tuesday. When Mnangagwa was dismissed as vice president by Mugabe on November 6, it initially looked like he'd been outfoxed by the first lady, forcing him to flee the country. But the situation quickly turned on its head, with his dismissal triggering a military takeover and mass street protests, which ended with Mugabe's ouster and Mnangagwa catapulted to centre stage. With the nation still reeling from Mugabe's lightning demise, the 75-year-old was to make a triumphant return home on Wednesday and be sworn in as president on Friday. A former close Mugabe ally, Mnangagwa's fall from grace appears to have been engineered by the first lady, who lobbied her husband to back her own political ambitions. It was the climax of a long feud between the pair over who would replace the ailing and increasingly frail 93-year-old leader. But Mnangagwa's dismissal alarmed the army, with the generals quickly moving in, staging a military takeover which brought him down within days. Political veteran Mnangagwa's rise to the top comes after decades of experience under Mugabe since Zimbabwe won independence from Britain in 1980. In the early days, Mugabe appointed Mnangagwa, a young trainee lawyer, as Zimbabwe's first minister for national security. After that, he held a host of different cabinet positions - but relations between him and his political mentor were not always easy, and the younger man was no stranger to presidential purges. In 2004, he lost his post as administrative secretary in the ruling ZANU-PF after being accused of openly angling for the post of vice president. Violence and intimidation But it was during the 2008 elections that his fortunes really began to change when he was serving as head of Mugabe's election campaign. Mugabe lost the first round vote, and Mnangagwa allegedly supervised the wave of violence and intimidation that forced the opposition to pull out of the run-off vote. In the same year, he took over as head of the Joint Operations Command, a committee of security chiefs which was accused by rights groups of organising violence to crush dissent. He was targeted by EU and US sanctions imposed on Mugabe and his close allies over the elections and the ensuing violence but was promptly handed control of the powerful defence ministry. A young fighter Born in the southwestern Zvishavane district on September 15, 1942, Mnangagwa completed his early education in Zimbabwe before his family relocated to neighbouring Zambia. His grandfather was a traditional leader and his father a political agitator for the repeal of colonial laws that disadvantaged blacks. In 1966, Mnangagwa joined the struggle for independence from Britain, becoming one of the young combatants who helped direct the war after undergoing training in China and Egypt. He was arrested and sentenced to death but his sentence was later commuted to 10 years in prison because of his young age. After independence in 1980, he directed a brutal crackdown on opposition supporters that claimed thousands of lives in the Matabeleland and Midlands provinces. The Gukurahundi massacres remain the biggest scar on his reputation among many Zimbabweans. He once remarked that he had been taught to "destroy and kill" - although he later claimed to be a born-again Christian.

Profile: Mnangagwa, set to take over Zimbabwe, could prove as authoritarian as mentor Mugabe

Robert Mugabe resigned as president of Zimbabwe Tuesday, swept from power as his 37-year reign of brutality and autocratic control crumbled within days of a military takeover.

The bombshell news was delivered by the parliament speaker to a special joint session of the assembly which had convened to impeach Mugabe, 93, who has dominated every aspect of Zimbabwean public life since independence in 1980.

It was greeted on the streets of the capital Harare with car horns and wild cheering.

&quot;I Robert Gabriel Mugabe in terms of section 96 of the constitution of Zimbabwe hereby formally tender my resignation... with immediate effect,&quot; said speaker Jacob Mudenda, reading the letter.

&quot;My decision to resign is voluntary on my part. It arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire to ensure a smooth, peaceful and non-violent transfer of power that underpins national security, peace and stability.&quot;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ousted-zimbabwe-deputy-president-asks-mugabe-to-resign-24737" target="_blank">Also read: Ousted Zimbabwe deputy president asks Mugabe to resign</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/zimbabwes-parliament-starts-impeachment-process-against-mugabe-24764" target="_blank">Also read: Zimbabwe&#39;s parliament starts impeachment process against Mugabe</a>

It capped an unprecedented week in which the military seized control, tens of thousands of ordinary Zimbabweans took to the streets to demand that the president go and Mugabe wrestled to remain in power.&quot;We are just so happy that things are finally going to change,&quot; Togo Ndhlalambi, 32, a hairdresser, told AFP.

Mugabe had ruled Zimbabwe almost unopposed since the country won independence from Britain but his efforts to position his wife Grace as his successor triggered fury in the military that had underpinned his regime.

His grip on power was shattered last week when the armoured military vehicles took to the streets, blockaded parliament and soldiers placed the president under house arrest in an operation that had all the hallmarks of a coup.

But instead his generals stressed they were simply &quot;arresting&quot; criminals around Mugabe -- a reference to supporters of Grace -- and even allowed the one-time liberation hero to appear at a public function and deliver a TV speech stressing that he retained control.

It is expected that he will eventually be replaced by former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had been Grace Mugabe`s chief rival to succeed her husband and whose dismissal earlier this month triggered the army takeover.

Grace has not been seen since the start of the crisis.

However, under Zimbabwe`s constitution, second Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko stands to be elevated as head of state.

Veterans of the independence war -- who were also formerly key Mugabe allies -- had compounded mounting pressure on the former leader, demanding that he leave office immediately and helping to rally the weekend`s vast protests.&nbsp;

On Saturday, in scenes of public euphoria not seen since independence, huge crowds marched and sang their way through Harare and other cities in peaceful celebrations to mark his fading power.

The demonstrations drew citizens of all ages and races, jubilant that Mugabe`s fate had been sealed.

In central Harare, a group of young men tore down a green metal street sign bearing Robert Mugabe`s name and smashed it repeatedly on the road.

Such open dissent would have would have been routinely crushed by security forces before this week`s shock events.

The majority of Zimbabweans had only known life under Mugabe`s rule, which was defined by violent suppression, economic collapse and international isolation.

The announcement of Mugabe's resignation was greeted on the streets of the capital Harare with car horns and wild cheering

Robert Mugabe resigned as president of Zimbabwe Tuesday, swept from power as his 37-year reign of brutality and autocratic control crumbled within days of a military takeover. The bombshell news was delivered by the parliament speaker to a special joint session of the assembly which had convened to impeach Mugabe, 93, who has dominated every aspect of Zimbabwean public life since independence in 1980. It was greeted on the streets of the capital Harare with car horns and wild cheering. "I Robert Gabriel Mugabe in terms of section 96 of the constitution of Zimbabwe hereby formally tender my resignation... with immediate effect," said speaker Jacob Mudenda, reading the letter. "My decision to resign is voluntary on my part. It arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire to ensure a smooth, peaceful and non-violent transfer of power that underpins national security, peace and stability." Also read: Ousted Zimbabwe deputy president asks Mugabe to resign Also read: Zimbabwe's parliament starts impeachment process against Mugabe It capped an unprecedented week in which the military seized control, tens of thousands of ordinary Zimbabweans took to the streets to demand that the president go and Mugabe wrestled to remain in power."We are just so happy that things are finally going to change," Togo Ndhlalambi, 32, a hairdresser, told AFP. Mugabe had ruled Zimbabwe almost unopposed since the country won independence from Britain but his efforts to position his wife Grace as his successor triggered fury in the military that had underpinned his regime. His grip on power was shattered last week when the armoured military vehicles took to the streets, blockaded parliament and soldiers placed the president under house arrest in an operation that had all the hallmarks of a coup. But instead his generals stressed they were simply "arresting" criminals around Mugabe -- a reference to supporters of Grace -- and even allowed the one-time liberation hero to appear at a public function and deliver a TV speech stressing that he retained control. It is expected that he will eventually be replaced by former vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had been Grace Mugabe`s chief rival to succeed her husband and whose dismissal earlier this month triggered the army takeover. Grace has not been seen since the start of the crisis. However, under Zimbabwe`s constitution, second Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko stands to be elevated as head of state. Veterans of the independence war -- who were also formerly key Mugabe allies -- had compounded mounting pressure on the former leader, demanding that he leave office immediately and helping to rally the weekend`s vast protests. On Saturday, in scenes of public euphoria not seen since independence, huge crowds marched and sang their way through Harare and other cities in peaceful celebrations to mark his fading power. The demonstrations drew citizens of all ages and races, jubilant that Mugabe`s fate had been sealed. In central Harare, a group of young men tore down a green metal street sign bearing Robert Mugabe`s name and smashed it repeatedly on the road. Such open dissent would have would have been routinely crushed by security forces before this week`s shock events. The majority of Zimbabweans had only known life under Mugabe`s rule, which was defined by violent suppression, economic collapse and international isolation.

Robert Mugabe resigns as president of Zimbabwe

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Zimbabwe moves to extend Mnangagwa's presidency until 2030

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Zimbabwe president says currency under attack as prices spiral

Profile: Mnangagwa, set to take over Zimbabwe, could prove as authoritarian as mentor Mugabe

Robert Mugabe resigns as president of Zimbabwe