Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is facing significant opposition as a battle over succession intensifies before the 2028 elections. Efforts by Mnangagwa and his supporters to extend his rule until 2030 have sparked protests and calls for his resignation from within his own party, ZANU-PF. This marked a significant moment of dissent, reflecting broader discontent among Zimbabweans who have endured decades of political instability, economic stagnation, and hyperinflation.

Given Zimbabwe’s political scenario, the crisis is postulated to be the most consequent challenge to Mnangagwa’s rule. Driven by factions within ZANU-PF, with one advocating for Mnangagwa’s prolonged term up to 2030 and the other supporting the ascendancy of his Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga, this internal division threatens to deeply unsettle the country’s political landscape further. The constitution’s two-term limit for presidents is at the heart of this controversy, as extending Mnangagwa’s rule would breach constitutional constraints.

A prominent voice of dissent within ZANU-PF is Blessed “Bombshell” Geza, who has accused the government of rampant corruption and publicly called for Mnangagwa’s resignation. His stance, however, is seen by some as less than genuine due to his longstanding association with the government. The situation is also reminiscent of the ousting of Robert Mugabe in 2017, who held power for almost four decades before a military intervention forced him out.

On the ground, calls for protests have led to a shutdown in Zimbabwe, with most citizens staying indoors as a sign of discontent. Despite the government labeling the protests a failure, the low turnout reflects a deeper apathy and frustration among the public towards the ongoing political power struggles. Meanwhile, Mnangagwa’s actions to fortify his rule by removing top security officials indicate a deeper-seated fear of being overthrown.

In summary, the political crisis in Zimbabwe is a complex tableau of internal party disputes, constitutional impasses, and public dissatisfaction. The outcome remains uncertain, but the current climate indicates that Mnangagwa’s rule faces significant challenges ahead of the 2028 elections.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/3/why-is-zimbabwes-president-mnangagwa-facing-pressure-to-resign?traffic_source=rss