Zimbabwe’s president keeps finding new ways to stay in power

Many years ago, a fight for freedom turned into a fight for control. Emmerson Mnangagwa, now 83 years old, has spent decades climbing Zimbabwe’s political ladder, first under Robert Mugabe and now as president himself. His nickname, “The Crocodile, ” hints at his patient, ruthless approach to politics. But staying in power for so long wasn’t easy—so in 2024, his party pushed through a law to stretch presidential terms from five years to seven. That small tweak could keep him at the helm until 2030, well past his original end date. Mnangagwa wasn’t always the obvious successor. Back in 2017, Mugabe tried to hand power to his own wife, Grace, but the military stepped in and forced Mugabe out instead. Mnangagwa, then a long-time minister, moved quickly into the top job. Yet his leadership hasn’t brought the stability he promised. Zimbabwe’s economy wobbled for years with sky-high inflation, and despite recent improvements, many people still struggle to afford basic goods.Some supporters argue that longer terms help the country plan ahead and cut election costs. Others aren’t convinced. Even veterans of the independence struggle—once loyal allies—now criticize Mnangagwa for clinging to power. One big change under review is letting parliament choose the president instead of holding direct elections. This could further tilt the playing field in his favor. The past isn’t forgotten. Mnangagwa joined the fight against white minority rule as a young man, even facing a death sentence before turning 21. He later worked closely with Mugabe but has faced questions about his role in the 1980s violence against the Ndebele ethnic group. Mnangagwa says he was too low-ranking to control those events, yet critics point to his long career as a key figure in Zimbabwe’s security apparatus. The government blames outside forces like sanctions for its problems, not its own policies. Still, protests over unfair elections have been met with a heavy hand, echoing Mugabe’s harsh tactics. After a deadly crackdown in 2018, opposition leaders were silenced once more, raising doubts about whether change is truly possible in Zimbabwe.