Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe
Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa — long nicknamed “Ngwena” (“The Crocodile”) — is the 3rd President of Zimbabwe, in office since 24 November 2017. He rose to power when the military removed long-ruling Robert Mugabe in a de facto coup, having served as Mugabe’s longest-serving security lieutenant (Minister of State Security during the 1980s Gukurahundi massacres, Justice Minister, Defence Minister, and Vice-President until his dismissal in early November 2017 triggered the coup). Mnangagwa won contested elections in 2018 and 2023 for the ruling ZANU-PF; his August 2023 re-election (52.6%) was criticised by African Union, SADC and EU observers for irregularities.
Background
Mnangagwa was born on 15 September 1942 in Zvishavane, Southern Rhodesia. He joined the anti-colonial guerrilla struggle in the 1960s, was imprisoned in Rhodesia (1964–1974), later trained in China and Egypt, and served as a senior ZANU official during the Rhodesian Bush War. He holds LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Zambia and University of London (external).
Rule and economy
Mnangagwa promised that “Zimbabwe is open for business” but has not delivered durable reform. Hyperinflation returned in 2019–2020 and again in 2024; the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency launched in April 2024 has depreciated against the US dollar. US and EU sanctions on members of the ZANU-PF elite were partly lifted in March 2024 but tightened again on some individuals. Chinese and Russian investment in lithium and platinum mining has accelerated.
“Mnangagwa 2030”
A ZANU-PF-led campaign known as “ED 2030” has lobbied openly to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond the constitutional 2028 two-term limit. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga — the general who led the 2017 coup and was long viewed as the next president — has publicly distanced himself; the factional split dominated 2024–2025 party politics. A constitutional referendum on the term extension has been mooted but not scheduled.
Human rights
Freedom House rates Zimbabwe “Not Free.” Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa withdrew from the CCC party in January 2024 after infiltration by ZANU-PF proxies; several Citizens Coalition for Change MPs have been recalled. Independent journalists and activists face routine arrest. The 2023 Patriotic Act criminalises “damaging national interest” abroad with penalties including loss of citizenship and the death sentence.
| Full name | Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa (“The Crocodile”) |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 September 1942 · Zvishavane, Southern Rhodesia (age 83) |
| Office | President of Zimbabwe (3rd) |
| In office since | 24 November 2017 (2nd term from 4 September 2023) |
| Predecessor | Robert Mugabe (forced to resign after 2017 military takeover) |
| Vice Presidents | Constantino Chiwenga · Kembo Mohadi |
| Party | ZANU-PF |
| Spouse | Auxillia Mnangagwa (First Lady) |
| Children | 9 (including Emmerson Jr. and Collins) |
| Education | University of Zambia (LLB) · University of London (LLM) |
| 2023 result | 52.6% vs Nelson Chamisa 44.0% |
| Human rights rating | Freedom House: Not Free |
Frequently asked questions
Who is the current President of Zimbabwe in 2026?
Emmerson Mnangagwa has been President of Zimbabwe since 24 November 2017 and is serving his second term (2023–2028).
How old is Mnangagwa?
Mnangagwa was born on 15 September 1942 in Zvishavane and is 83 years old as of April 2026.
How did Mnangagwa come to power?
He was elevated to the presidency on 24 November 2017 after the military removed Robert Mugabe in a de facto coup, triggered by Mugabe’s firing of Mnangagwa as vice-president earlier in November.
What is “Mnangagwa 2030”?
A ZANU-PF campaign pushing to extend Mnangagwa’s presidency beyond the constitutional 2028 two-term limit. Vice-President Chiwenga has publicly distanced himself. No referendum has yet been scheduled.
Is Zimbabwe a democracy?
Zimbabwe holds multi-party elections but Freedom House rates the country “Not Free.” AU, SADC, and EU observers documented irregularities in the August 2023 election.
What is Zimbabwe’s currency crisis?
The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency launched in April 2024 has depreciated sharply against the US dollar. Hyperinflation returned in 2024–2025.
When does Mnangagwa’s current term end?
Formally in 2028. The “ED 2030” push would require a constitutional referendum to extend.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Former President of Zimbabwe (resigned on Nov 21, 2017, bringing an end to 37 years of rule)
First prime minister (1980– ) and president (1987– ) of Zimbabwe, born in Kutama, Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia). Largely self-educated, he became a teacher in 1942. After short periods in the National Democratic Party and Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), he was briefly detained, but escaped to co-found, with Ndabaningi Sithole, the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). After a 10-year detention in Rhodesia (1964–74) he spent five years in Mozambique gathering support in preparation for Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. His ZANU and the ZAPU forces of Joshua Nkomo united in 1976 to form the Patriotic Front, and later, a coalition government. Though Mugabe formerly espoused a pragmatic Marxism and declared his intention of turning Zimbabwe into a one-party state, multi-party elections were held in 1990 (which he won), and his party dropped all references to ‘Marxism–Leninism’, and ‘scientific socialism’ from its constitution in 1991. He came to world attention in 2000 for initiating a land redistribution policy aimed at local white farmers, which resulted in intimidation, civil disturbance, some deaths, and much international condemnation. He won a fifth term in office in 2002, but controversy surrounding the election process led to Zimbabwe being suspended from the Commonwealth for a year, and following the decision to reaffirm the suspension in 2003 he announced that he would withdraw from the organization.