Emmerson Mnangagwa, the President of Zimbabwe, secured a second term as the leader of the nation, as confirmed by election officials on August 26, 2023. However, the election process drew criticism from international observers who noted that it did not meet democratic standards.
Mnangagwa, aged 80, garnered 52.6% of the votes, while his primary opponent, Nelson Chamisa, aged 45, received 44%, as per the official results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). ZEC chairwoman Justice Chigumba declared Mnangagwa of the ZANU-PF party as the duly elected president of Zimbabwe.
The election took place over two days, but was marred by delays, leading to allegations of “rigging” and “voter suppression” by the opposition. Observers from foreign countries noted that the election did not meet international and regional standards. The results were significant not only for Zimbabwe but also for southern Africa, testing the popularity of Mnangagwa’s ZANU-PF party, which has faced economic challenges and claims of authoritarianism during its four-decade rule.
Mnangagwa secured over 2.3 million votes, surpassing the required threshold for a runoff election, while Chamisa received over 1.9 million votes. The president’s victory was achieved with more than half of the total votes cast, and the voter turnout stood at 69%.
Known as “The Crocodile” due to his assertive approach, Mnangagwa initially assumed power through a coup that ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe in 2017. He previously narrowly defeated Chamisa in a contested election in 2018, which led to accusations of fraud and subsequent unrest.
World News
TDPel Media
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