Zimbabwe's Constitutional Amendments 3 threaten democratic renewal

Zimbabwe turns 133 years old this year since the first European settlers arrived in 1893, yet the nation's history has been marked more by instability than by sustained growth, writes economist and former opposition MP Eddie Cross.

Reflecting on the country's political trajectory, Cross notes that past leaders, including Lord Malvern (37 years), Ian Smith (15 years), and Robert Mugabe (37 years), highlight the difficulty of maintaining fresh and innovative leadership under prolonged high-stress rule. He points out that even current measures limiting the tenure of top civil servants and executives to two five-year terms were designed to counter such stagnation.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who came to power in 2018, is midway through his first five-year term plus an additional three years and has two years remaining. Cross emphasizes Mnangagwa's long service record, noting his early involvement in the liberation struggle, imprisonment, and decades of public service, including forcing Mugabe into retirement in 2017.

Despite repeated pledges to uphold the 2013 Constitution, Cross warns that the proposed constitutional amendments, which would extend Mnangagwa's term to 2030 and centralize power in the presidency, risk undermining democratic principles. He stresses that the constitution requires a national referendum for such changes, yet the ruling party is poised to push them through Parliament, confident of its two-thirds majority.

"The attempt to remove these shackles and create a situation where they can impose a new president on the country… even though they would clearly lose any election held under supervision and on a free and fair basis, is a tactical and political error," Cross writes.

He draws parallels to other African liberation-era parties, including South Africa's ANC, which has seen declining support, and Mozambique's Frelimo, which recently transitioned leadership to engage younger voters and rebuild public trust.

Cross argues that Zimbabwe's greatest challenge is to foster a new generation of leadership that represents the country's youth and offers real hope. "My generation of leadership has run its course and, in many ways, have failed our country. It's time for the next generation to step forward," he asserts.

He further critiques the ruling Zanu-PF party for manipulating democracy and maintaining power through questionable tactics, while describing the current opposition as ineffectual.

"History has clearly shown this country is more than ready for real change," Cross concludes, warning that the constitutional amendments could ultimately seal Zanu-PF's fate if they are perceived as a ploy to avoid democratic renewal.

This reflection from Cross offers a pointed analysis of Zimbabwe's political landscape and raises urgent questions about leadership succession, institutional integrity, and the role of citizens in shaping the nation's democratic future.