On Wednesday, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe signed a new constitution into law, replacing a 33-year-old document forged in the dying days
of British colonial rule and paving the way for elections later this
year.
The constitution, approved overwhelmingly in a referendum in March,
clips the powers of the president and imposes a two-term limit. However, it does not apply retroactively so the 89-year-old Mugabe
could extend his 33 years in power by another decade.
Beaming Mugabe, flanked by his
main political rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangira and Deputy President Joice Mujuru, signed multiple
copies of the charter at State House in the capital, Harare. Aides and other politicians present at the signing broke into applause the moment the veteran leader put down his pen.
The constitution was formed as part of a power-sharing deal between
Mugabe and Tsvangirai after disputed and violent elections in 2008.
The five-year coalition parliament formed under the same agreement
expires on June 29, and parliamentary and presidential elections should
follow within 90 days of that date.
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