The key facts

  • ZANU-PF unanimously nominated Mnangagwa as its candidate for the 2030 elections at a conference in Chinhoyi
  • Amendments signed in July moved the elections from 2028 to 2030 and extended terms from five to seven years
  • The amendments abolished direct presidential elections — the president will be elected by parliament

Unanimous nomination at the conference in Chinhoyi

Zimbabwe's ruling party ZANU-PF chose President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 84, as its candidate for the presidential elections of 2028, which were moved to 2030 following constitutional changes. The decision was made unanimously at the party's 23rd National People's Conference in the city of Chinhoyi, northwest of Harare, which ended on Saturday. The presidency said on X that the party had 'unanimously resolved to extend President Mnangagwa's term beyond 2028 to 2030'.

Constitutional amendments

In July, Mnangagwa signed constitutional amendments that extended his term from 2028 to 2030 and increased presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. The amendments also abolished direct presidential elections: the president will now be elected by parliament.

Context: in power since 2017

Mnangagwa has ruled the southern African country since 2017, when a coup removed long-time leader Robert Mugabe, under whom Mnangagwa served as vice president and was his long-time political ally. By 2030, he will have been in power for 13 years.