Zimbabwe: General elections set for July 30

Event

On Wednesday, May 30, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on July 30. A presidential runoff election, if required, is slated to be held on September 8. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said that international partners, including the UN, will help provide financial support for the elections. President Mnangagwa has also invited international observers to monitor the voting. An increase in election-related demonstrations is possible in the coming weeks.

Context

These elections will be the first held in Zimbabwe since Robert Mugabe stepped down as president in November 2017 after 37 years in power. Mnangagwa has invited all political parties to a roundtable to commit to a nonviolent electoral process, as well as Western observers to oversee the elections.

Mugabe resigned after the parliament launched impeachment proceedings against him; he had initially refused to step down despite intense pressure from the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party and the military after nearly a week of political uncertainty. The political crisis was sparked when Mugabe fired then-Vice President Mnangagwa on November 6, widely seen as clearing the way for his wife, Grace, to take over the position and eventually the presidency. On November 15, Zimbabwe's military took control of the government but denied that the takeover amounted to a "coup."

Advice

Individuals in Zimbabwe, particularly in Harare, are advised to avoid large public gatherings, even those expected to remain peaceful, and to monitor local developments.