Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Zimbabwe’s leader announces retirement plans

  • By Cyril Zenda
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English
  • 12 Jul 2024 15:07
3 Min Read

President Emmerson Mnangagwa expressed readiness to retire and transfer the presidency to a new leader within Zanu PF.

Listen
  • x
  • A supporter of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa holds the Zimbabwean flag at a campaign rally in Harare, on August 9, 2023. (AP)
    A supporter of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa holds the Zimbabwean flag at a campaign rally in Harare, on August 9, 2023. (AP)

Zimbabwe’s president, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, says he has no plans to change the constitution to run for a third term. The 82-year old who has been in power since 2017, has asked his ruling ZANU-PF party to choose someone to take over from him as he prepares for retirement when his term ends in 2028.

“Our (ZANU-PF) constitution says that after every five years, we go to Congress, and we elect our president,” Mnangagwa told members of his party at a meeting in the eastern city of Mutare.

“The elected president is supposed to serve two five-year terms. I served my first five-year term, and we went to Congress, and you re-elected me. Now I am serving my last five years, it ends soon and I will go and rest. When you go to Congress, select a leader who follows my footsteps,”

Related News

1,100 mpox deaths recorded across Africa: CDC

China hosts two dozen African leaders, marking largest summit in years

The announcement by the Zimbabwean leader known as ED (initials for his given name) puts an end to widespread speculation about his possible plans to seek a third term. Until now, the “ED-2030” campaign mantra was gaining traction within the lower structures of the ruling party as some party officials and supporters pushed for Mnangagwa to stay on beyond 2028.

Pushing for constitutional amendments

Some members of the ruling party have been trying to take advantage of the party’s majority and a weakened opposition to force constitutional amendments to remove presidential term limits, thus allowing Mnangagwa to run again in 2028 when he will be 86. Alternatively, the life of the current government could be extended to 2030, giving Mnangagwa an extra two years to his term. 

Constantino Chiwenga, one of Mnangagwa’s two deputies, is seen as the front-runner to take over from him. Chiwenga, a retired general, was the commander of the army when Mnangagwa came to power through a coup that toppled the late longtime ruler Robert Mugabe in November 2017. 

The announcement gives hope that Zimbabwe may shed its dubious status as the only country in southern Africa that has not had a smooth transfer of power. Mugabe had been in power for 37 years when he was toppled, having changed the constitution a record 18 times to enter himself into power.

There are, however, concerns about the military’s continued intervention in politics. Recently, Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe declared his allegiance to the ruling party, declaring that the party will rule “until donkeys grow horns” and whether the people want it or not, raising protests from the opposition and human rights groups.

  • Zimbabwe
  • Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS