Elections in Zimbabwe – what the Change of Power means for the young Zimbabweans
Election in Zimbabwe (c) Dj Cky Blue
The resignation of the dictator Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Freedom – that is what many in Zimbabwe hope for. In 2017, the long time dictator Robert Mugabe was forced to resign. His fall was celebrated, because Mugabe had terrorized the people in the country, expropriated the white farmers and started a clean-up campaign against the opposition – under the name “Operation Murambatsvina”, in English: “waste disposal”. After military intervention, Emmerson Mnangagwa succeeded 93-year-old Mugabe. The elections on 30 July confirmed Mnangagwa in office. More than 50 percent of the Zimbabweans voted for him.
Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa?
Emmerson Mnangagwa (c) Voice of America
The 75-year-old Mnangagwa is regarded as a cunning politician and long-time political companion of President Mugabe. His political cunning earned him the nickname “the crocodile”. The former head of the secret service is said to have been responsible for violent riots against opposition supporters in the 2008 elections. Now irregularities have also emerged in this election. International observers reported irregularities in the run-up to the elections, such as voter intimidation, partisan media and a biased election commission in favour of the ruling party Zanu-PF.
Riots against the Election
After the announcement of the interim results, protesters have taken to the streets in the capital of Harare to accuse the government of vote rigging, with the military drafted in to disperse them using live rounds. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa called the published figures wrong. He vowed to fight election result. At least six people died in military clashes with demonstrators. As Mnangagwa calls for peace, Zimbabwe is bubbling. Now heavily armed policemen dominate the streets of Harare.
What do the young Zimbabweans want?
Street vendor in Zimbabwe
Voting by young Zimbabweans is seen as the key to changing the political climate. After all, 46 percent of Zimbabweans are under 35, and how they voted is not yet clear. Especially opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who is 35 years younger than Mnangagwa, addressed the young people in his election campaign. He and his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) stand for a democratic change of the country. But the economy, which urgently needs new impetus, has top priority for many. Good jobs are rare, even university graduates work as street vendors to make ends meet. Thus Mnangagwa will have involve Nelson Chamisa and his party in the affairs of government. Otherwise he will not receive international acknowledgement which he badly needs; which means that in the long run, Zimbabweans have every reason to hope for change.
