Emmerson Mnangagwa remains Zimbabwe's president as of February 2026. No new president has taken office recently; instead, recent developments center on efforts to extend his current term.

Current Leadership Status

Emmerson Mnangagwa has been president since 2017, following the ousting of Robert Mugabe. He won elections in 2018 and 2023, with his second term set to end in 2028 under the existing constitution. At 83 years old, Mnangagwa leads the ZANU-PF party amid internal succession disputes.

Recent Constitutional Push

Zimbabwe's cabinet approved a draft bill in early February 2026 to amend the constitution. Key proposals include:

  • Extending presidential terms from 5 to 7 years, potentially allowing Mnangagwa to stay until 2030.
  • Shifting presidential selection from popular vote to parliamentary election.

This move aims to "enhance political stability," per official statements, but faces backlash.

Opposition and Public Reaction

Opposition figures like David Coltart criticize the changes, calling for a referendum on term extensions. Protests against the bill have led to police crackdowns and arrests. Analysts note risks to democracy, with ZANU-PF's parliamentary majority likely advancing the bill after public consultations.

Economic Context

Zimbabwe forecasts 8.5% GDP growth in 2026—its fastest in 14 years—tied to IMF reforms, though corruption allegations persist.

Aspect| Current Rule| Proposed Changes
---|---|---
Term Length| 5 years (two max) 1| 7 years 2
Election Method| Direct popular vote 4| Parliamentary selection 8
Mnangagwa's End Date| 2028 6| Potentially 2030 1

TL;DR: There is no "new" president of Zimbabwe; Emmerson Mnangagwa is still in power, with a controversial bid underway to extend his rule to 2030.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.