A new political party, the Assemblies of Minorities (AM), has emerged in Zimbabwe’s political landscape, vowing to resist President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s alleged push to extend his rule beyond 2028.
The party, which claims to represent the marginalised regions of Matabeleland and parts of Midlands, has declared its opposition to Zanu PF’s proposed constitutional amendments aimed at prolonging Mnangagwa’s presidency.
Speaking at a press conference at the Bulawayo Media Centre on Friday, interim party leader Chilumbo Mudenda condemned Zanu PF’s 2030 agenda as unconstitutional and a direct assault on democracy.
“We are hearing that Zanu PF is pushing the 2030 agenda that is bent on extending Mnangagwa’s term of office beyond 2028. We would like to put it categorically clear that there is nothing like that is going to happen. It is unconstitutional and a direct assault on democracy,” Mudenda said.
The political leader said Mnangagwa’s presidency would end in 2028, and the country would proceed to elections without his participation.
“When Mnangagwa’s term of office is over in 2028, we will go for an election, and there is no way he is going to be contesting in that election. The only presidency he will continue presiding over might be Zanu PF’s, of which that is none of our business,” Mudenda added.
Mudenda also accused Zanu PF of creating a puppet opposition to facilitate the 2030 agenda and criticised the ruling party for its selective application of development, which has left Matabeleland and parts of Midlands marginalized.
“We have been patient enough with their excuses, but there is always a time at some point where you say, ‘this is enough,’ and right now, people of Matabeleland and parts of Midlands, we have crossed that line. We have taken enough of everything, but we can’t do it any longer,” he said.
The AM leader said the party’s formation was motivated by the need to address historical injustices and provide equitable development.
“We are sons and daughters of Matabeleland and parts of Midlands, cautious of our historical responsibility to the people of our regions, committed to the ideals of freedom, justice, democracy and self-determination,” Mudenda stated.
Mudenda announced that the AM had already begun a recruitment drive and would mobilise citizens to resist any attempts to extend Mnangagwa’s term.
“We are saying we are very bold enough to stand. That’s why we pointed out, we can’t allow Emmerson Mnangagwa to go beyond 2030. We have already started the recruitment drive to make sure that the very day when Parliament is going to have a session to deliberate on that, we get onto the streets,” he said.
When asked about the proposed March 30, 2025 protests against Mnangagwa’s rule, Mudenda expressed caution, stating that the party would only participate in officially announced demonstrations led by credible leaders.
“If whoever is going to say, ‘I am Blessed Geza, get into the streets,’ I think it will be voluntary. I don’t think there will be a need for another signal. Those guys are talking sense, but to me, I take them as one family,” he said.
Mudenda also criticized the opposition’s reliance on social media to mobilise protests, citing the need for proper channels and leadership.
“When we do demonstrations, we know the channel. We go to the police. We can’t say people are not going to participate, but as a party, our standing position is that if we get any leader from Harare or wherever, he will be a progressive force, and we are going to participate. But without a leader, no,” he explained.
“Remember the commission of inquiry into the August 1 2018 shootings (where six people were shot and killed by the army), (then leader of MDC Alliance, Nelson) Chamisa was brought before the commission and said, ‘who can come and testify that it’s me who said people should demonstrate.”
Mudenda said the AM’s formation is rooted in the desire to build a prosperous and socialist Mthwakazi State, inspired by African unity and solidarity, adding that the party’s emergence of the Assemblies of Minorities marks a significant development in Zimbabwe’s political landscape, particularly in regions that have long felt marginalised.
He also expressed gratitude to the people of Matabeleland and parts of Midlands for their support and commitment to the party’s vision.
“We would like to appreciate the people of Matabeleland and parts of Midlands for taking such a bold step and the wisdom bestowed in them to come up with such an amazing idea that made us to be here today. We would like to thank all the leadership gathered who made this dream a reality for working tirelessly,” he said.
According to Mudenda, AM aims to challenge the status quo and provide a voice for underrepresented communities.
“We thrive on mass, unite marginalised populations and build a strong grassroots movement to survive the country’s political terrain,” said the AM leader.
