The People’s Unity Party (PUP) has announced plans to launch its Inclusive Government Agenda (IGA) and corresponding National Youth Movement on 28 February 2026, pledging support for extending President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term in office in the interests of national development.
PUP leader Herbert Chamuka, who doubles as the principal sponsor and committee adviser said the launch will be held at the Midlands Hotel in Gweru.
“The IGA will bring together stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, churches and citizens, to build unity and drive Zimbabwe’s development,” Chamuka said.
He stressed that the movement will work tirelessly “until we win” its envisaged goals.
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Chamuka said the IGA supports the suspension of the 2028 electionsand embraces Zimbabwe’s broader development aspirations under Vision 2030.
Vision 2030 is a national long term blueprint aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle income society by 2030 through inclusive growth, infrastructure development and improved livelihoods.
“We cannot afford continued bloodshed and resource wastage associated with elections,” he said, citing the violence that marred the 2008 election cycle, including the government’s controversial Operation Mavhoterapapi in which thousands were displaced and many injured.
Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF, has already moved to extend Mnangagwa’s term by two years to 2030, a proposal adopted at its annual conference in Mutare last year.
Under the constitution, Mnangagwa’s current term expires in 2028, and extending it would require amendments approved by Parliament and, potentially, a referendum.
While Chamuka’s support for term extension is framed around inclusive governance, critics have expressed alarm.
Senator Jameson Timba, a veteran opposition figure, warned that extending a presidential term would amount to a “constitutional betrayal” and undermine democracy.
“The ruling party cannot manufacture legitimacy,” Timba said in a recently on Change Radio.
Political analysts note that Zimbabwe has struggled with opposition fragmentation since the death of former MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, helping ZANU-PF to maintain power since independence in 1980.
Government officials stress that Vision 2030 remains the guiding framework for national growth.
The Treasury has projected economic growth of around 6.6% in 2026, citing macro-economic stability and improved production, positioning the country on course for its development goals.
For many Zimbabweans, the choice between electoral contestation and an expanded executive mandate underscores deep divisions over the country’s political and economic direction.
