vowing not to exceed the time frame set for him by the people of Zimbabwe, which ends in 2028.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reiterated his commitment to step down at the conclusion of his second term, vowing not to exceed the time frame set for him by the people of Zimbabwe, which ends in 2028. The President made these remarks during a gathering with Zimbabweans in Beijing, the capital of China, while on a state visit.
The meeting sought to update Zimbabweans living abroad on the progress being made by his government and how the diaspora can contribute to the nation's development.
"I have said before, and I will say it again, I am a constitutionalist. Have you heard of that? It means I follow the law and the constitution to the letter. I was one of those who helped to draft it. So, to those who spread rumours about me staying longer, I say no. My mandate, given to me by the people of Zimbabwe, has a set duration. When it ends, others will step in to take their turn," President Mnangagwa asserted.
He emphasised that the issue of whether he would seek a third term was non-existent, insisting that his tenure would end as outlined by Zimbabwe’s constitution. "The question of a third term simply does not arise while I am in office," Mnangagwa clarified.
The President also expressed gratitude to Zimbabweans living abroad for the financial remittances they send home, acknowledging that these contributions play a significant role in sustaining the country's economy. He praised Zimbabweans for their hard work, both at home and abroad, noting their efforts were critical to the nation's progress.
During his visit to China, Mnangagwa is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which runs from Wednesday to Friday. The summit aims to bolster relations between China and African nations, with a focus on enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, and political engagement.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Kembo Mohadi, is in Malaysia attending the second meeting of the Indonesia-Africa Forum and the High-Level Forum on Multi-stakeholder Partnerships.
Commenting on Mnangagwa’s engagement with Zimbabweans in China, Professor Elliot Masocha, an expert in economics and international relations at DeVry University in the United States, commended the President’s outreach. He noted that such interactions should be expected not just from Mnangagwa but also from his deputies and ministers when they travel abroad.
However, when assessing the outcomes of African countries' engagements with both Eastern and Western powers, Professor Masocha expressed some scepticism. He highlighted the difficulty in gauging tangible benefits for Africa from these partnerships, adding that there is often a perception that China, in particular, gains more from its relationship with the continent.
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