Just weeks after securing a commanding two-thirds majority in Zimbabwe’s Parliament, the ruling party Zanu PF has set the stage for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s controversial bid for a third term in office. The campaign, which coalesces around the slogan “2030 vaMnangagwa vanenge vachipo,” or “In 2030, Mnangagwa will still be in power,” underscores the party’s determination to extend its leadership tenure amidst growing political tensions.

This move follows closely on the heels of Zanu PF’s significant electoral victories, which were not without controversy, particularly the actions of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu in recalling opposition members. Such strategies have not only solidified Zanu PF’s dominance in the Lower House but also hint at a similar outcome in the Senate, where the influence of chiefs and the strategic positioning of Tshabangu and his group suggest a broadening base of support for Mnangagwa.

However, President Mnangagwa’s ambition for a third term, which defies the constitutional limit of two terms, has sparked internal discord, notably with his deputy Constantino Chiwenga. An apparent succession agreement, which would have seen Mnangagwa hand over power to Chiwenga after his first term, now seems disregarded, laying bare the factional rifts within Zanu PF.

As the party braces for internal pledges of support for Mnangagwa, the political landscape in Zimbabwe appears increasingly fraught. The push for Mnangagwa’s extended presidency not only tests the country’s constitutional boundaries but also signals a period of intensified political maneuvering within Zanu PF and the broader national arena.