THE Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) has rallied ordinary Zimbabweans to oppose Zanu PF’s plans to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office by two years saying the ruling party’s agenda is an anathema to democracy.
Zanu PF adopted a resolution at the party's annual conference in October last year to extend Mnangagwa’s tenure from 2028 to 2030.
Mnangagwa has repeatedly said he does not intend to extend his term of office but his loyalists are forging ahead with the 2030 agenda insisting that they are guided by the party’s resolution.
Zinasu secretary-general, Devine Nyakudya, said the 2030 resolution was an affront to the very fabric of democracy and a slap in the face of peace-loving Zimbabweans.
“As students who value academic freedom and uphold the Constitution, we know our constitutional rights and will ensure that the principles of democracy, universal sovereignty and constitutional respect are upheld," Nyakudya said in a statement.
“The union will not be silenced, intimidated or co-opted by this ageist agenda. We condemn and resist this "stayist" agenda and will not rest until Agenda 2030 is defeated and the democratic rights of Zimbabwean students and people are respected."
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Nyakudya said they wanted a democratic Zimbabwe with students as integral stakeholders where academic freedom is upheld and promoted through student representation at the national level.
“We will not stand idly while our constitutional rights are trampled upon,” he said.
“The proposed extension of the presidential term is a blatant disregard for the principles of democracy, universal sovereignty and constitutional respect that our nation holds dear.
"We recognise that this agenda is not only a threat to our democracy but also a perpetuation of the rampant cancer of "stayism" that has plagued many African nations, where leaders cling to power indefinitely."
Nyakudya said leaders must step down when their time comes and pave way for younger generations.
"We will not allow the ruling party and the President of Zimbabwe to undermine the principles of democracy and the Constitution of Zimbabwe through Parliament or any other means," he said.
"It is on this basis that we call upon all progressive students, civil society organisations and the people of Zimbabwe to join us in rejecting this unconstitutional agenda. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and alert, ready to take action against this threat to our democracy."
The 2030 agenda has divided Zanu PF into two factions, one aligned to Mnangagwa and the other to his deputy Constantino Chiwenga.