Nairobi, May 1 -- Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa is pushing for an overhaul of the country's constitution in a move critics say is meant to influence his succession after he abruptly abandoned a bid for a third term.

President Mnangagwa, 81, is serving his second and last term after succeeding long time ruler Robert Mugabe following a military coup in 2017, but a loud campaign was already visible for him to run for another term in four years' time.

Soon after his controversial election last year, which were condemned by most foreign observers as not credible, the octogenarian leader started hinting on a third term with slogans that suggested he will still be in charge in 2030.

On February 21, during celebrations to mark the late...