Zimbabwe at a Constitutional Crossroads

Thursday, 26 February 2026

11 am Washington D.C.
4pm London / Dakar
5pm Paris / Kinshasa
6pm Cape Town
7pm Kampala/Nairobi

Zimbabwe is entering a pivotal moment as sweeping constitutional amendments threaten to entrench executive power and undermine democratic safeguards. The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill, recently approved by the Cabinet, would extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s presidential term, shift presidential elections from direct public vote to parliamentary selection, weaken judicial independence, and expand presidential influence over supposedly nonpartisan electoral and legislative bodies.

Framed by the long-ruling ZANU-PF party as a move for stability, critics and human rights activists warn that these sweeping changes will accelerate authoritarianism, further constricting civic space in a country already shaped by decades of autocratic rule. At stake is not just a longer presidential tenure, but the fundamental future of Zimbabwe’s democratic institutions and the basic rights of its citizens— especially the youth of a nation yearning for accountable leadership.

This Twitter (X) Space will bring together Zimbabweans, from different corners of the country, to unpack the real-world impacts of this anti-democratic wave. Why do these changes matter for ordinary citizens? And what constitutional principles are being eroded?

As the 90-day consultation window unfolds, we will explore how people can meaningfully respond— through civic engagement, public awareness, and sustained advocacy. Join us for a timely and inclusive conversation about protecting Zimbabwe’s democratic future and holding power to account in a country where the stakes have never been higher.