South Africa assumes SADC leadership amid Zimbabwe term extension debate

During the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Durban, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, officially accepted the SADC Chairpersonship for the 2026–2027 term. Lamola emphasized that the role is a collective responsibility aimed at fostering solidarity and shared prosperity within the region.

On the sidelines of the summit, Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amon Murwira, defended the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3. The proposed amendment seeks to extend presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, which could extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure until 2030. The bill also proposes replacing direct presidential elections with a parliamentary selection process. While Murwira maintained the amendment follows national laws, opposition critics have raised concerns regarding due process and democratic regression.