Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party has unanimously endorsed President Emmerson Mnangagwa as its presidential candidate for the 2030 national elections, effectively extending his term by two years beyond the previously scheduled 2028 polls. This decision was made during the party’s 23rd National People’s Conference, which concluded recently in Chinhoyi, northwest of the capital Harare.
The move follows constitutional amendments signed into law by Mnangagwa in July, which extended the presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. The amendments also abolished direct presidential elections, allowing the president to be elected by parliament.
Key Players Involved
- President Emmerson Mnangagwa: The incumbent President of Zimbabwe, endorsed by ZANU-PF for the 2030 elections.
- ZANU-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front): Zimbabwe’s ruling party, responsible for the constitutional amendments and the endorsement.
Event Timeline
- July 2026: President Mnangagwa signed constitutional amendments extending presidential and parliamentary terms to seven years and abolishing direct presidential elections.
- October 17-19, 2026: ZANU-PF National People’s Conference held in Chinhoyi.
- October 19, 2026: ZANU-PF unanimously resolved to extend President Mnangagwa’s term beyond 2028 to 2030 and selected him as the presidential candidate for 2030.
