HARARE: The main opposition party in Zimbabwe, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), has intensified its call for fresh elections following its presidential candidate’s loss to incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa. The CCC denounces the recent vote as flawed and illegal, urging the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to mediate and find a solution to the crisis triggered by the contested election outcome.
At a press conference in Harare, CCC’s deputy spokesman, Ostallos Siziba, stated, “Zimbabwe needs a fresh and broad and proper election to exit the current crisis.” This appeal comes after last Wednesday’s vote, which saw Mnangagwa secure a second term with 52.6 percent of the vote against 44 percent for CCC’s Nelson Chamisa, according to official results declared by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
Concerns Over Zimbabwe Elections
Despite international observers raising concerns over the conduct of the election, Mnangagwa has maintained that the polling demonstrated the country’s maturity in democratic processes. The election was marred by delays and allegations of rigging and voter suppression, with the opposition asserting its victory.
Siziba emphasized the significance of African assistance in resolving the crisis, stating, “The solution lies in calling upon our African brothers and those in the region, particularly SADC (and) the African Union, to help us facilitate, mediate, scaffold and more importantly guarantee a process that will lead our return to legitimacy.”
Observers from the European Union, the Commonwealth, and SADC expressed apprehensions about the electoral process, including issues with voter registration rolls, biased state media coverage, voter intimidation, and the banning of opposition rallies. This criticism from SADC, a 16-nation regional organization, was atypical, as their observer missions usually endorse polls in member countries.
While some SADC member nations, including South Africa, congratulated Mnangagwa on his re-election, the CCC has not ruled out the possibility of challenging the election results in court. Siziba emphasized that the party would employ “all necessary measures at the right time.”
