Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, aged 83, signed into law a controversial constitutional amendment that extends his current presidential term by two years to 2030, Bloomberg reported on July 7. The amendments also postpone the next general election, extend the terms of the president, Parliament and local authorities from five to seven years, and introduce a provision for future presidents to be elected by Parliament rather than through direct popular vote.

Mnangagwa came to power in November 2017 following the military-backed removal of longtime leader Robert Mugabe, and he was subsequently elected president in 2018 and reelected in 2023. Mnangagwa had repeatedly pledged to step down at the end of his constitutionally mandated second term in 2028.