By bullet or by ballot?
A huge smile plastered across his face, Emmerson Mnangagwa was all over green and yellow posters as voters in Zimbabwe had gone to vote. "VOTE ZANU PF" is what they said in big bold yellow (ZANU-PF is a political party in Zimbabwe). At the bottom right corner, is the name of the candidate, Mr. Mnangagwa written in small lettering. But, voters had seen another (more hopeful) poster, this one red and white. It had a younger face, of the 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa, representing the "Movement for Democratic Change". "The people's president" it read in simple red, Zimbabwe. It seems the people didn't get their choice
Zimbabwe's past-
This was the first election in Zimbabwe without former President Robert Mugabe, since he came to power in 1980. So, what happened to him? After holding on to power for so long, how could he have given it up? In November 2017, he submitted his resignation to parliament but, not without fuss. The military took over the country and put the 93-year-old under house arrest. Six days later as the parliament was preparing for impeachment proceedings, he resigned. Since the army took over Mr. Mugabe faced pressure from his own party, the ZANU-PF to resign. This all came after Robert Mugabe sacked his lifelong friend Emmerson Mnangagwa, as he joined the calls for impeachment. After Mugabe was removed from office, Mnangagwa came back as leader of the ZANU-PF, and became President. He promised to be different, and bring change to Zimbabwe. He promised for democracy and for a more open Zimbabwe. But, could the infamous "crocodile" really change his ways? That is what everybody in Zimbabwe was thinking. It was a shady promise, that proved to be wrong.
The result-
The elections took place a few days ago and the people went to vote. The people in Zimbabwe were delighted to see that after a long time they had an actual choice, and the ruling party had an opposition. The main candidate was the Mr. Mnangagwa. The former security chief has a shady past, having allegedly played a role in an operation that lead to the death of more than 10,000 civilians in 1980 in Zimbabwe. The results took a while to come out, increasing suspicion by the opposition. But, when they did, they announced that the ZANU PF and Mr. Mnangagwa won with just enough votes. According to the government, he won with 50.8 percent of the vote. And the opposition leader got 44.3 percent. The rest were allegedly taken up by the 21 other candidates. This meant that Emmerson Mnangagwa closely avoided a run-off, since in Zimbabwe a candidate needs more than 50 percent of the vote to assume power.
Followed by chaos-
Nelson Chamisa was not going to let him win that easily. After the results were announced, he claimed that they were rigged and the elections were illegitimated. He even went as far to say that the election was a "coup against (the people's) will" and refused to accept the results. It seems like he wasn't the only one. People are protesting against the results on the streets of Zimbabwe. There have been many clashes with protesters and the police, any of which have led to violence. A press conference with Mr. Chamisa almost didn't happen. As riot police tried to scare away and disperse waiting journalists, Emmerson Mnangagwa and the government has responded quite peacefully. After the elections, the president said in an address to Nelson Chamisa (during an interview), that Mr. Chamisa had a "crucial role to play" In Zimbabwe. The government has even said that the opposition, or anybody that feels necessary, can challenge the results in court. It even shunned the actions of the riot police, saying that such actions have no place in Zimbabwe. But, are these assurances just another cover up or does Emmerson Mnangagwa really mean it this time?
International response-
This matter has not just been a regional problem. As media around the world broadcast police and protester clashes and claims of corruption and fraud. So, many international governments have expressed their concerns and have responded to the elections. The UK has said that it was "deeply concerned" by the outbreaks of violence after the (extremely) controversial elections. The UK minister for Africa has also said that "All candidates have a responsibility to ensure their supporters act with restraint and avoid violence, while any challenges to the results are resolved." The UK hopes that the matter could be solved peacefully. It's great to hear the concern but it doesn't seem like the chaos is ending anytime soon. The US has said that it would be probing data, collected by its own observation teams, other international missions and even local observer before it can make "a complete assessment" of the controversial elections. It even said that it appreciates the cooperation of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). However, it also has commended the violence as six people were shot dead by the police last Wednesday. On the contrary China, a long-time trade partner to Zimbabwe, has voiced out its support for the result in Zimbabwe, and has urged the international community to do the same. This isn't that shocking, considering China's own record (read more about it here).
So, what's next?
Under international watch, Emmerson Mnangagwa will probably be willing to cooperate to a certain extent. But, Mr. Chamisa has already stated that he and his party is going to be pursuing all legal avenues to contest the result. He has also said that he has proof that the votes were transferred by trucks, allowing them to be tampered with. If the investigation does come up with anything, the next step is not going to be easy. With the support of China, Emmerson Mnangagwa may be willing to try his chances, and hold on to his seat. A seat taken by bullet or by ballot?
