Zimbabwe’s Cabinet has given the green light to draft legislation that could pave the way for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, now 83, to remain in office until at least 2030.

Under the proposed changes, the method of selecting a president would shift from a nationwide vote to an election by Members of Parliament. The bill also seeks to replace the current two five-year term limit with a maximum of two seven-year terms.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the proposals would first be subjected to public consultations before being tabled in Parliament.

Mnangagwa assumed power in 2017 following the military-assisted removal of former president Robert Mugabe. He won elections in 2018 and again in 2023. His current term is scheduled to end in 2028.

Government officials say the proposed constitutional amendments are intended to enhance governance efficiency and promote long-term political stability in Zimbabwe.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has returned home from Dubai after concluding a productive visit marked by his participation at the World Governments Summit (WGS) and a series of strategic investment-focused engagements.

Held under the theme “Shaping Future Governments,” the summit brought together world leaders, policymakers, and industry captains to exchange ideas on modern governance, economic reform, and sustainable development.

President Mnangagwa was among the distinguished global leaders invited to take part in high-level panel discussions, where he shared perspectives on governance innovation, economic transformation, technological advancement, and sustainable growth.

On the margins of the summit, the President held several meetings with senior executives and leaders of international corporations. During these engagements, he positioned Zimbabwe as an attractive investment destination, highlighting political stability, rich natural resources, and the ongoing economic reforms being implemented under the Second Republic.

The discussions generated notable investor interest across key sectors, including energy, mining, infrastructure, logistics, agriculture, and renewable energy, aligning with Zimbabwe’s broader industrialisation and economic growth agenda.

The visit also served to deepen bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates, reinforcing diplomatic and economic cooperation with one of Zimbabwe’s major trade and investment partners in the Gulf region.

President Mnangagwa was bid farewell at Al Maktoum International Airport by UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Professor Amon Murwira, and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the UAE, Mr Isaac Moyo.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe reaffirmed his country’s independent foreign policy during the Dubai World Summit on Tuesday, stating that Zimbabwe does not seek to align with either Western or Eastern powers, but will prioritize its own national interests.

The panel, moderated by American commentator Tucker Carlson, included the presidents of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, and Botswana.

The discussion focused on global power shifts, the growing influence of China versus the West, economic sanctions, sovereignty, and the state of democracy worldwide.

“Zimbabwe is not here to please the West or the East. We are here to please ourselves as a sovereign nation,” Mnangagwa told the audience.

“Our engagement with the world is based on mutual respect and shared interests, not dependency or control.”

President Mnangagwa said, “Zimbabwe will continue to seek partnerships and investment opportunities on terms that respect the country’s independence and development priorities.”

He reiterated that foreign aid and economic cooperation must not come with political conditions that compromise sovereignty.

The Zimbabwean leader’s remarks come amid intensifying global competition for influence in Africa, with both Western nations and Eastern powers expanding economic and political ties across the continent.

Other leaders on the panel highlighted similar themes of sovereignty and self-determination.

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio stressed the importance of domestic decision-making in the face of global pressures, while Botswana’s president called for balanced engagement with both Western and Eastern powers to ensure sustainable development.

The Dubai World Summit, which gathered political and business leaders from across the globe, served as a platform for African heads of state to articulate their perspectives on navigating a multipolar world while safeguarding national interests.