Zimbabwe to hold first post-Mugabe election in July
Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:55:am Politics
5.5K By Sharon Ayomide
Zimbabwe will be holding its presidential and parliamentary elections in July -the first without the name of former president Robert Mugabe on the ballot following his long rule over the country- as announced by interim president Emmerson Mnangagwa, after a meeting between him and his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday night.
This will be the first major test for the new leader, following his replacement of Mugabe after a de facto military coup forced the 94-year-old to resign.
"As a nation, party and government, we are looking forward to very peaceful, transparent and harmonised elections in July this year," Mnangagwa said
Mnangagwa expressed his desire to ensure the elections take place without violence which has marred previous ones. "I have already invited all political parties in Zimbabwe to a round table where we all commit ourselves to non-violence," he added.
A European Union pre-election team was expected in Harare on Monday, as Mnangagwa said an invitation would be given to Western observers, banned under Mugabe's rule.
Phillipe Van Damme, EU's head of mission in Zimbabwe, told the Sunday Mail it would meet the president, political party leaders, and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
This will be the first major test for the new leader, following his replacement of Mugabe after a de facto military coup forced the 94-year-old to resign.
"As a nation, party and government, we are looking forward to very peaceful, transparent and harmonised elections in July this year," Mnangagwa said
Mnangagwa expressed his desire to ensure the elections take place without violence which has marred previous ones. "I have already invited all political parties in Zimbabwe to a round table where we all commit ourselves to non-violence," he added.
A European Union pre-election team was expected in Harare on Monday, as Mnangagwa said an invitation would be given to Western observers, banned under Mugabe's rule.
Phillipe Van Damme, EU's head of mission in Zimbabwe, told the Sunday Mail it would meet the president, political party leaders, and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
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