President of the Republic of Zimbabwe
President of the Republic of Zimbabwe | |
![]() |
|
Standard of the President | |
![]() Acting President since November 24, 2017 |
|
Official seat | Harare |
Term of office | 5 years (re-election possible once) |
Creation of office | April 18, 1980 |
Last choice | July 30, 2018 |
Deputy | Vice President |
Website | www.opc.gov.zw |
The President is the official head of state of Zimbabwe . The first official after independence in 1980 was Canaan Banana . With the assumption of office by his successor Robert Mugabe , who was previously prime minister, the office of prime minister was abolished in 1987, so the president was also head of government of the country. The office of prime minister was reintroduced in 2009 after negotiations with the opposition, but abolished again in 2013 as part of a constitutional reform.
According to the constitution , which has been in force since 2013, the President of Zimbabwe is elected every five years, Mugabe was most recently in his fourth term. Since 2013 there has been a limit to two terms of office.
President since 1980
# | image | Name (life data) |
Taking office | Resignation | Political party |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
![]() |
Canaan Banana (1936-2003) |
April 18, 1980 | December 31, 1987 | ZANU |
2 |
![]() |
Robert Mugabe (1924-2019) |
December 31, 1987 | November 21, 2017 | ZANU-PF |
3 |
![]() |
Emmerson Mnangagwa (* 1942) |
November 24, 2017 | in office | ZANU-PF |
History of the office
The office of President of Zimbabwe was created in 1980 when the country gained independence from the United Kingdom . Under the Lancaster House Agreement , Zimbabwe was a parliamentary republic in which the president had representative functions. The real power was held by Prime Minister Robert Mugabe .
A Methodist minister, Canaan Banana , became the first president. His tenure lasted until 1987 when he resigned. Shortly before that, the constitution was amended so that the president became head of government and the post of prime minister was abolished. Mugabe was elected as the new president and served for four terms.
The office of prime minister was reinstated following negotiations between the opposition and the government in 2008 and 2009, but was dissolved again in 2013. In the same year a limit on the maximum number of terms of office was passed.
Coup 2017
On November 14, 2017, the occupied army the building of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation in Harare . Major General Sibusiso Moyo said on live television that the army had started Operation Restore Legacy. Moyo announced that President Mugabe and his family were safe and that they would be kept safe as the operation was aimed only against "criminals around him." A carefully planned operation against members of the ruling party known as the G40 followed. Police and intelligence agencies loyal to the president were neutralized and high-ranking members were arrested.
On November 21, 2017, as a result of the ongoing impeachment proceedings, which would most certainly have led to the impeachment of Mugabe, he resigned from the post of president. Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa was sworn in as the new President.
See also
Web links
- Official website of the President (English)
- List of Heads of State and Government of Zimbabwe , World Statesmen.org (English)