Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF looks to bolster presidency further

Significance

Amid a broader government crackdown on critical voices, these amendments risk rolling back hard-won improvements in the bipartisan, negotiated 2013 Constitution, eroding the limited legislative accountability that currently exists.

Impacts

• With a captured judiciary and constrained civic sector, ZANU-PF is likely to have an easy run-up to the 2023 elections.
• With legal routes narrowing and elections controlled, public protests will be the only avenue open to Zimbabweans to voice dissent.
• The mooted Patriotic Bill would erode the ability of civic groups and the opposition to seek international help for democratisation efforts.