Zimbabwe opposition appeals to UN, SADC over Mnangagwa's term extension

The Defend the Constitution Platform (DCP) has intensified its campaign against the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 by appealing to regional and international organisations to intervene, as political tensions rise ahead of parliamentary public hearings.

The proposed legislation seeks to extend the tenure of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Parliament, a move critics argue undermines constitutional democracy.

Speaking at a press briefing in Harare on Monday, DCP convener Jameson Timba said the group had formally communicated its concerns to key international bodies, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations (UN), and the African Union (AU).

"Because the constitution is not merely a domestic political instrument but the foundation of our democratic order, the DCP has taken steps to raise these concerns through responsible and lawful international engagements," said Timba.

"In the spirit of preventive diplomacy, we have communicated with the United Nations, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community. Our intention is not to internationalise domestic politics, rather it is to ensure that Zimbabwe's constitutional process remains consistent with the democratic commitments that our country has voluntarily subscribed to."

The intervention comes as Parliament prepares to conduct public hearings on the bill later this month, a process that has already sparked sharp divisions between the ruling Zanu-PF party and opposition groups.

Opposition figures allege increasing intimidation and repression as they mobilise against the proposed changes, while Zanu-PF maintains that a national referendum is not required to pass the amendment.

However, the DCP argues that any alteration to the Constitution must be endorsed by citizens, noting that the current charter was overwhelmingly approved in a 2013 referendum.

"Across the continent there is growing recognition that constitutional manipulation designed to extend incumbency without the consent of the people constitutes a form of unconstitutional change of government. Zimbabwe must avoid that path," Timba said.

As part of its resistance campaign, the DCP has launched a nationwide petition aimed at collecting one million signatures under the banner "One Million Voices for the Constitution."

"This petition represents a simple democratic principle: the Constitution belongs to the people, and any fundamental change to it must return to the people through a referendum," he added.

The debate over the proposed amendment continues to deepen political fault lines, with analysts warning of heightened tensions as the legislative process unfolds.