HARARE - The newly formed People's Coalition, made up of prominent opposition figures, called on Zimbabweans to demonstrate while lawyers prepared to challenge the constitutionality of the country's latest law.
Zimbabweans will have President Emmerson Mnangagwa as their leader until 2030.
The 83-year-old has signed into law legislation that extends his term in office by two years
Both houses of the county's parliament approved the bill last month.
The bill includes a provision for Mnangagwa to be elected by parliament, rather than voted for by the citizens.
Mnangagwa was elected president in 2017 following a coup that overthrew long-time leader Robert Mugabe.
His promises to resuscitate Zimbabwe's failing economy have largely fallen flat.
At a media briefing, People's Coalition said, "The Constitutional Court will hear the challenge."
"The government has guns, money, and media. But the people have numbers."
Nelson Chamisa, an opposition leader who lost to Mnangagwa in 2023 in what he described as a fraudulent election, said opposition voices must unite.
"Today, we face a common challenge: oppression," he said in a social media post. "We are organizing... Be and get ready."
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change party also called for mass mobilisation and said it would ask the AU and regional grouping SADC to intervene.
"Zimbabwe cannot be allowed to slide into constitutional dictatorship in silence," it said.
- Additional reporting by AFP