Post Election Violence in Zimbabwe

Stability in the streets of Zimbabwe appeared uncertain on Friday, August 3^rd, after the opposition party leader said that they would challenge the election results, going as far as to call them “fraudulent and illegal”. The recent election was the first in Zimbabwe since the fall of Robert Mugabe and was being watched by investors globally to see if the country had shed its tumultuous electoral past. The leader of the opposition party Nelson Chamisa said that his team is in the process of putting together a plan of action, but he did not give details on the next steps they would take.

The results of the election saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa win 50.8 percent of the vote while Nelson Chamisa took 44.3 percent. The disputed election results deepen an already fragile political climate in Zimbabwe.

On Wednesday violence increased in the city of Harare as the military entered with gun fire to disperse individuals protesting believed corruption in the electoral process. The police have arrested over 15 individuals partaking in these protests following the election results. The death toll has risen in recent days to six people, with at least 10 more injured.  President Mnangagwa has blamed the opposition party and its protesters for inciting the violence while the crackdown against these same protesters has been condemned by individuals all around the world.

Chamisa’s party headquarters was raided by police as a part of an investigation for allegedly inciting violence following the protests. President Mnangagwa has said that those found responsible for the violence would be brought to justice.

A credible election is needed in Zimbabwe to lift sanctions that have been placed on the economy. The United States has sanctions against President Mnangagwa due to his previous ties to Robert Mugabe. Credible elections could be  the first positive step forward in a post-Mugabe era of violence and corruption.