Zimbabwe lawmakers back legislation extending president's time in power

Some 216 ​lawmakers voted in favour of the draft legislation, passing the 187 mark needed ​for a two-thirds majority.

The bill now moves to the upper house of ⁠parliament, where it is also expected to sail through as Mnangagwa's governing ZANU-PF party ​controls it through traditional leaders and other proxies who generally vote with the party.

Signs that ​Mnangagwa, 83, wanted to stay in power beyond the end of his second term in 2028 emerged about two years ago, when his supporters started chanting slogans at ZANU-PF rallies that he needed more ​time to complete his agenda.

The party last year resolved to change the constitution to lengthen presidential ​terms and the plan received cabinet backing in February.

Critics say the bill is a ruse for Mnangagwa to ‌stay ⁠in power for longer, though its backers say it will strengthen accountability and foster political stability.

ZIMBABWE'S 'CROCODILE' PRESIDENT

Mnangagwa is nicknamed "the crocodile," an animal portrayed in Zimbabwean lore as stealthy and ruthless.

He came to power after a 2017 military coup ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe, who had ​been in power since ​independence in 1980.

Until ⁠they fell out in the months leading up to the coup, Mnangagwa was one of Mugabe's closest lieutenants, serving in top government ​positions including vice president.

Some activists and veterans of the country's liberation ​war launched court ⁠challenges against the plan to extend Mnangagwa's time as head of state, but they were struck off the court roll this week for technical reasons.

Other African countries whose leaders have changed ⁠the ​law to stay in power for longer include Cameroon and ​Uganda, entrenching a trend on the continent where some of the world's oldest leaders govern its youngest populations.