Regional watchdog slams Zimbabwe constitutional changes

President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Act into law in July, a move that extends his term and those of parliamentarians and councillors. The Southern Africa Coalition for Democracy and Accountability (SACDA), a regional watchdog, described the changes as a major democratic regression for the region. The opposition Action Democratic Movement (ADM) challenged the amendment in court, labeling Mnangagwa's Vision 2030 a 'vision of hunger'. The amendment introduces sweeping changes to the constitution, including term extensions for multiple office holders and local councillors. SACDA warned that Zimbabwe set a bad precedent for the entire SADC region, calling the changes a further step back for democracy.