Harare, Zimbabwe – (African Boulevard News) – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced that the country will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on August 23, marking the first elections since the fall of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017.
The announcement comes as the country battles an economic crisis, with high unemployment and inflation rates causing widespread hardship. Mnangagwa has said that the elections will be an opportunity for Zimbabweans to choose a path of “peace, unity, and development,” and has promised to oversee a free and fair election.
While the announcement of the election date has been welcomed by many, there are concerns that the process may be marred by violence, intimidation, and irregularities. In the lead-up to the elections, Mnangagwa’s ruling ZANU-PF party has been accused of using state resources to campaign, and opposition parties have reported incidents of harassment and violence.
Despite these concerns, Mnangagwa has promised to ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner. “The country deserves a free, fair, credible, and indisputable election,” he said in a statement.
The opposition MDC Alliance has welcomed the announcement of the election date, but has also expressed concerns about the integrity of the process. “We are happy that the election date has been set, but there are many issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the elections are free and fair,” said MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.
International observers, including the African Union and the United Nations, are expected to monitor the elections, and have called on all parties to respect the integrity of the process.
The upcoming elections will be a test for Mnangagwa, who took over as president after Mugabe was forced to resign in 2017. Mnangagwa has promised to revive the country’s struggling economy and improve its international standing, but has faced criticism for his handling of the crisis.
As Zimbabwe prepares for its first elections in the post-Mugabe era, the eyes of the world will be watching to see whether the country can turn the page on a turbulent past and move towards a brighter future.
