Zimbabwe moves closer to seven-year presidential terms
Zimbabwe's National Assembly has passed a bill extending presidential terms that could allow Mnangagwa to remain in power until 2030.
Black News 
Zimbabwe’s National Assembly on Thursday approved a bill that would extend presidential terms from five years to seven, potentially allowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.
A total of 216 MPs voted in favour of the proposed legislation, comfortably surpassing the 187 votes required for a two-thirds majority.
Forty-two lawmakers from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) opposed the bill, while 35 opposition MPs backed the government.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where analysts expect it to pass with little resistance.
Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF party effectively controls the upper house through its allies, including traditional leaders who typically vote with the ruling party.
Mnangagwa’s rise to power
Mnangagwa assumed power in November 2017 after a military intervention forced longtime leader Robert Mugabe from office.
Mugabe had ruled Zimbabwe since the country gained independence in 1980.
Before their relationship deteriorated in the months leading up to Mugabe’s removal, Mnangagwa served as one of the former president’s closest allies.
Mnangagwa held several senior government positions over the years, including that of vice president.
Several activists and veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle challenged the proposed term extension in court. However, Zimlive reports that the courts removed the cases from the roll this week on technical grounds.
Growing debate over term extensions in Africa
Zimbabwe joins a number of African countries where leaders have amended laws or constitutions to extend their time in office.
Similar moves in countries such as Cameroon and Uganda have fuelled debate over democratic governance and leadership succession across the continent.
