Vultures Circling as Zimbabwean Electoral Crisis Deepens
Several big nations have cautiously come out to add their voices to the deepening electoral crisis in Zimbabwe.
Chamisa Rejects Discredited Election Results
The beleaguered incumbent Mnangagwa who had ZEC declare him the winner of the 23 August plebiscite has been scrounging for congratulatory messages as global leaders have remained mum.
Namibia and Tanzania have since congratulated the aged leader.
On behalf of the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, President @edmnangagwa, on being re-elected as the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. I am looking forward to continuing working together… pic.twitter.com/T1LAW1my78
— Samia Suluhu (@SuluhuSamia) August 28, 2023
South Africa who have been quiet for a period longer than usual have finally issued a statement that they posted on the government website.
The statement congratulated the people of Zimbabwe for organising the harmonised elections but it notes the issues that were raised by the SADC Elections Observer Mission (SEOM).
The Republic of South Africa congratulates the government and the people of The Republic of Zimbabwe for organizing and holding the harmonized elections to elect the President, National Assembly and Local government representatives. https://t.co/PQdfv6HPWU pic.twitter.com/OncujY9HjY
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) August 28, 2023
At the same time, the Chinese ministry of Information also congratulated the incumbent and in the process noting the concerns raised by the SEOM.
Vultures Circling as Zimbabwean Electoral Crisis Deepens
The United States has also thrown weight behind the SEOM report.
As it stands now, even Zanu PF's supposed allies have noted with concern the issues raised by SEOM. They have been reluctant to publicly come out and endorse the result.
On the other hand, the supposed CCC allies have openly dismissed the elections as flawed.
What now remains to be seen is what kind of negotiations will ensue behind closed doors as China, UK, US, the AU, and SADC have to find a way out of the quagmire.
Chamisa insists that he won and he wants to prove it.
