Gabonese military officers say they have captured power from President Bongo

 

Gabon's military officers say they have taken over power following the electoral commission’s declaration of President Bongo as the winner of the 2023 presidential elections.

Appearing on national television on Wednesday morning, the senior military officers, who described themselves as members of the “Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions”, announced they were canceling the results of the election and dissolving “all the institutions of the republic”. 

One of the twelve soldiers said on TV channel Gabon 24: “We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime.”

If successful, President Bongo’s overthrow would end his family's 56-year hold on power in Gabon.

The whereabouts of President Bongo have been unknown since last Saturday, after he cast his vote.

Like has been the case in many previous elections in Gabon, the 2023 general elections were fraught with many irregularities. Many Gabonese and institutions such as Election Without Borders raised serious concerns about the process and questioned the validity of the results.

According to the Gabonese Election Centre, President Bongo won the election with 64.27% of the vote, with his main contender, Albert Ondo Ossa, coming in second with 30.77%.

Main opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa alleges that many polling stations lacked ballot papers bearing his name.

If successful, this would be the eighth coup in former French colonies in Africa in the past three years.

#Gabon2023 : Les Urnes S'ouvrent Alors que 850 000 Personnes Votent pour Élire un Nouveau Dirigeant

Le Gabon se rend aux urnes aujourd'hui pour élire un nouveau dirigeant ainsi que les membres de l'Assemblée Nationale du pays. 

Les bureaux de vote ont ouvert leurs portes à travers le pays à 8h00 heure locale et sont prévus pour fermer à 17h00 GMT. 

Les électeurs auront la tâche de voter à la fois pour un président et pour les membres du parlement simultanément, sur un seul bulletin de vote, en conformité avec les nouvelles lois électorales.

Le Président en exercice, Ali Bongo Ondimba, se présente pour sa réélection et fait face à une concurrence féroce de la part de 13 autres candidats, dont Albert Ondo Ossa. M. Ossa est devenu le principal candidat de l'opposition après avoir reçu l'approbation de cinq autres candidats de l'opposition qui ont retiré leurs candidatures pour le soutenir au sein d'une coalition appelée "Alternance 2023".

Bongo, qui est le candidat du Parti Démocratique Gabonais (PDG) au pouvoir, a succédé à son père, Omar Bongo, qui a régné d'une main de fer de 1967 à 2009. 

Le Gabon a amendé ses lois électorales en avril, réduisant les mandats présidentiels de 7 à 5 ans sans limitation de mandats, et abolissant un second tour de scrutin.

L'élection présidentielle gabonaise se déroule en un seul tour de scrutin majoritaire. En substance, le candidat arrivé en tête est déclaré élu.

Le Parlement du pays se compose d'une Assemblée Nationale de 143 sièges, dont les membres sont élus au suffrage universel pour des mandats de cinq ans, et d'un Sénat de 67 sièges, dont 52 sont élus directement, tandis que 15 sont nommés par le président.

AEP

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Les Élections de 2023 au Gabon : Où Sont les Femmes?

Le Gabon, ce petit pays riche en pétrole qui s'étend le long de l'équateur sur la côte ouest de l'Afrique, est le plus prospère parmi les anciennes colonies françaises. À l'approche du 26 août, le pays se tient au seuil d'un moment crucial de son histoire démocratique. L'élection imminente détermine non seulement la direction de la nation, mais elle symbolise également une avancée dans le renforcement de ses institutions et de ses pratiques démocratiques.

Le Président en exercice, Ali Bongo Ondimba, se présente pour sa réélection. Le Parti Gabonais du Développement (PGD), dont il est membre, dirige le pays de manière continue depuis l'indépendance de la France en 1960, incluant 41 années sous la gouvernance du père de Bongo, Omar Bongo.

Le Président du Gabon est élu pour un mandat de cinq ans, récemment réduit de sept ans en avril 2023. L'élection présidentielle gabonaise se déroule en un seul tour de scrutin majoritaire. En substance, le candidat arrivé en tête est déclaré élu. Le Parlement du pays se compose d'une Assemblée Nationale de 143 sièges, dont les membres sont élus au suffrage universel pour des mandats de cinq ans, et d'un Sénat de 67 sièges, dont 52 sont élus directement, tandis que 15 sont nommés par le président.

Où Sont les Femmes?

Tout comme de nombreux pays africains, le Gabon a pris des mesures importantes pour ancrer le principe de l'égalité des sexes dans la loi. Dès 2015, la "Décennie de la Femme Gabonaise" a été instituée par le Président Ali Bongo Ondimba, accompagnée de la création d'un ministère dédié. De même, en 2018, la Constitution a été révisée pour consacrer le principe de parité entre les hommes et les femmes dans la vie politique et professionnelle. Pourtant, malgré ces avancées prometteuses, la sous-représentation des femmes dans les postes de responsabilité persiste au Gabon. Par exemple, à l'Assemblée Nationale, à peine 19 % des députés sont des femmes et aucune Gabonaise n'a jamais été élue à la plus haute fonction.

Cependant, dans les échelons supérieurs du gouvernement, quelques femmes ont brisé le plafond de verre : la nomination de Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda en tant que Premier Ministre en 2020 fut une première historique. Aujourd'hui, elle est Vice-Présidente de la République. Quelques autres femmes pionnières ont fait leur apparition dans les sphères politiques, économiques, judiciaires et administratives supérieures du Gabon. Parmi elles, Lucie Milebou-Aubusson (sénatrice et présidente de la chambre haute du parlement gabonais).

En réalité, les femmes restent encore trop peu nombreuses pour surmonter les défis de la parité. Pour l'élection présidentielle de 2023, seulement deux des 19 candidats à la présidence sont des femmes : Paulette Missambo, Présidente de l'Union Nationale, et Victoire Lasseni Duboze, Présidente de l'Union des Alliances pour une Nouvelle Afrique (UANA).

Il existe de nombreuses raisons à cette sous-représentation : la persistance des stéréotypes de genre qui cantonnent les femmes à la sphère domestique et privée, la politique étant perçue comme un bastion masculin ; les inégalités dans la répartition des tâches familiales, qui rendent particulièrement difficile l'implication des femmes en politique ; l'accès inégal au financement et aux réseaux politiques, les hommes bénéficiant plus facilement de soutien et d'opportunités ; le faible profil médiatique des femmes en politique, renforçant leur manque de visibilité ; et l'influence des traditions communautaires qui accordent moins de poids public aux femmes.

Bien que des progrès aient été réalisés, la route vers une véritable parité dans la politique gabonaise reste semée d'obstacles pour les femmes gabonaises. Pour beaucoup, des réformes structurelles, un changement de mentalité et le renforcement de la capacité d'action politique des femmes leur permettront de relever ce défi difficile.

AEP

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Les Élections de 2023 au Gabon : À la Rencontre des Principaux Contendants

Le Gabon se dirige vers les urnes pour élire un nouveau président, des législateurs et des dirigeants locaux le samedi 26 août 2023. Ce scrutin est considéré comme un test crucial pour la démocratie du pays, car le président sortant Ali Bongo brigue un troisième mandat présidentiel.

Pour beaucoup, les prochaines élections générales au Gabon ne sont pas seulement un simple événement politique, mais elles définiront le ton de la direction économique, sociale et politique du pays pour les cinq prochaines années.

Selon le Centre des Élections Gabonaises, 19 candidats sont éligibles pour concourir à l'élection présidentielle. Parmi les 19 candidats en lice pour devenir le prochain président du Gabon, cinq d'entre eux ont apporté leur soutien à l'économiste et universitaire Albert Ondo Ossa, avec l'espoir de mettre fin à la règle de 56 ans de la famille Bongo sur ce pays riche en pétrole.

Cet article présente les profils des principaux prétendants, mettant en lumière leurs parcours, leurs visions et leurs aspirations pour le peuple gabonais.

Ali Bongo Odimba du Parti Démocratique Gabonais

Agé de 64 ans, Ali Bongo est le président actuel du Gabon et le leader du Parti Démocratique Gabonais, un parti fondé par son père, Omar Bongo Odimba. Il a été élu en 2009 après le décès de son père qui avait été président du Gabon pendant 42 ans. Ali Bongo a été réélu en 2016, lors d'une élection contestée par l'opposition en raison de fraudes présumées. Ensemble, la famille Bongo a maintenu le pouvoir pendant les 56 dernières années grâce à une combinaison de facteurs, dont un gouvernement à parti unique et des allégations de corruption.

Au cours des dernières décennies, la constitution gabonaise a été modifiée à de nombreuses reprises pour permettre aux Bongo de rester au pouvoir. Par exemple, en 2003, la limite constitutionnelle de mandats présidentiels a été supprimée, ouvrant la voie à un mandat à vie pour son père. De plus, le système électoral traditionnel à deux tours a été changé en un système à un seul tour, privant ainsi ses opposants de la possibilité de ballottage lors des élections.

Ces derniers temps, les critiques ont accusé le président Bongo de ne pas utiliser correctement la richesse pétrolière du pays pour réduire la pauvreté et le chômage, et ont remis en question sa capacité à gouverner après avoir été victime d'un AVC en 2018. Néanmoins, Bongo mène une campagne vigoureuse à travers le pays, espérant que le peuple gabonais lui donnera une autre opportunité.

Son message de campagne se concentre sur la réduction des frais de scolarité dans les écoles publiques et l'augmentation des subventions familiales.

Albert Ondo Ossa

Agé de 69 ans, Albert Ondo Ossa est professeur d'économie et ancien ministre de l'éducation du Gabon. Il a été désigné le vendredi 18 août 2023 comme le candidat consensuel par cinq grands partis d'opposition, avec l'espoir de mettre fin à la mainmise de 56 ans de la famille Bongo sur le pouvoir.

Sa campagne met l'accent sur l'amélioration des conditions économiques du peuple gabonais, en particulier à une époque où la majorité des citoyens vivent en dessous du seuil de pauvreté et du chômage. M. Ossa est convaincu que la richesse pétrolière du pays devrait être gérée de manière à bénéficier à l'ensemble de la population.

Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou du Parti Démocratique Social (PDS)

Agé de 71 ans, Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou est le leader du Parti Démocratique Social. En 2017, M. Moussavou, qui a également été ministre sous feu le président Omar Bongo Odimba, a été nommé vice-président par le président Ali Bongo, dans une démarche de réconciliation après les élections contestées de 2016. Cependant, en 2019, il a été renvoyé suite à des allégations de trafic de bois. Maganga-Il s'agit de sa cinquième tentative pour devenir président du Gabon. Moussavou s'engage à décentraliser le pouvoir et à accorder plus d'importance aux provinces et à la population gabonaise rurale.

Qui l'emportera ?

Bien que les partisans du président Bongo le présentent comme le favori, il n'y a pas de preuve fiable pour étayer cela. Les victoires précédentes du président Bongo ont été contestées par les partis d'opposition, l'accusant de fraude électorale. Déjà, les tensions montent à l'approche du scrutin alors que les partis d'opposition expriment des inquiétudes quant aux récentes modifications électorales, notamment l'adoption d'un système de vote à un seul tour au lieu du système à deux tours, qu'ils estiment favoriserait le président Bongo.

Une défaite pour Bongo pourrait être un revers majeur en ce qui concerne ses initiatives environnementales qui ont conduit à la protection de la part du Gabon dans le bassin du Congo, permettant au pays de se positionner en tant qu'absorbeur net de dioxyde de carbone, tandis qu'une victoire de l'opposition insufflerait un nouvel élan à la démocratie gabonaise et offrirait une nouvelle orientation pour le pays.

AEP

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#ZimDecides2023 UPDATE: Voting continues into day two

Source: AFP

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has extended voting by a day as thousands of Zimbabweans could not cast their ballot yesterday due to delays and shortage of ballot papers at various polling centers.

This was made by the President in a statement published on his various social media pages.

40 wards including 11 in Harare which has the highest number of registered voters.

Voting began in the morning of 23^rd August and closed officially at 7pm amidst significant delays and inefficiencies mostly in the capital and Bulawayo. Some polling stations reportedly started voting an hour to the closing time while some voted late into the of voting day.

In a statement yesterday, the electoral commission blamed the delays on late printing of ballot papers caused by court challenges. In a tweet on Thursday morning, the EC admonished Zimbabweans “to be patient and observe peace while results are being counted and collated.”

Meanwhile, the leader of the main opposition has claimed that the presidential result is “settled”, insinuating that the 6.6 million voters have picked him over President Mnangagwa.

In another development, members of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change claim one person died yesterday in an attempt to cast his vote in Harare.

Reports also indicate that staff of some civil society organizations have been arrested. In a statement issued on Thursday afternoon in connection to the arrests, Zimbabwe based Crisis Coalition, representing 92 NGOs condemned what it calls a “state crackdown on CSOs” in wake of the elections”.

The presidential election results are expected to be declared by the EC within 5 days according to the electoral law.

In all, 10 candidates are running for president to lead the South African country for the next five (5) years.

#ZimDecides2023: Polls officially close in an election fraught with irregularities and disenfranchisement

Polls have officially closed in most parts of Zimbabwe according to the electoral commission schedule in a vote fraught with brazen infractions and disenfranchisement.

Counting has begun in polling stations where voting took place without significant hitches

Several polling stations in the capital Harare and Bulawayo believed to be strongholds of the main opposition are yet to start voting as at 7pm local time which is the time for closing polls.

Open Parly ZW, a local media organization in the country reported that some polling stations were starting to vote around an hour or two to the official closing time.

The EC had earlier stated that voters who are in the queues by 7pm local time will be allowed to vote while polling stations that experienced delays will be compensation in equal measure.

It also blamed court cases in the urban centres for delaying the printing of ballot papers leading to the inefficiencies experienced on voting day.

The opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa has held a press conference accusing the ruling party of conniving with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

“This is a clear case of voter suppression, a classic case of Stone Age, antiquated, analog rigging,” he stated in the capital Harare.

Several instances of misinformation and intimidation tactics were reported mostly in the urban areas.

Civil society organizations including the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and Crisis Coalition have expressed dissatisfaction with ZEC for their handling of the elections.

Largely, voting has been peaceful but an opposition spokesman has claimed that one person had died “fighting to cast his vote” in Warren Park, Harare.

According to the electoral law, results are expected to be declared within five (5) days.

#ZimDecides2023 UPDATE: Voting underway peacefully but delays and inefficiencies take center stage

Credit: Sky News

Voting is underway in most parts of Zimbabwe as the country goes through the process of electing a president, members of the national assembly and councilors for the next five years.

The president and candidate for the ruling party voted in the early hours of the day while his main contender, Nelson Chamisa voted hours later.

10 candidates are contesting for the presidency after Douglas Mwonzora of the MDC pulled out weeks to the vote cutting down the number from the initial 11.

Polls opened officially at 7:00am local time but 8 hours later, several polling stations are still yet to vote according to media reports.

Voting is expected to close at 7:00pm local time across the country.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has stated that voters in the queue by 7:00pm will be allowed to vote although Open Parly ZW, a media platform based in Harare monitored by the African Elections Project reported that the directive is not being observed in some polling stations they have observed.

ZEC also said polling stations that have witnessed delays will receive an extension in equal measure as the delay endured.

Meanwhile, local media reported missing names on the voter rolls as well as candidates on ballot papers in some constituencies. This sentiment has been corroborated by the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

The CCC has since called on its representatives and agents across the country to remain vigilant and not be deterred by the “intimidation tactics” of ZANU PF, the ruling party.

In one instance, the Finance Minister and the ruling party’s candidate for Cowdray Park Bulawayo, Mthuli Ncube had to leave his polling station because there were no ballot papers to vote.

Open Parly ZW also observed irregularities including lack of ballot papers for some national assembly elections and councilor elections with the EC providing only presidential ballot papers.

Majority of the irregularities and absence of ballot papers have been witnessed in urban centres including the capital Harare and Bulawayo which are believed to be strongholds of the opposition based on previous election results.

Nonetheless, Women in Politics Support Unit, a Harare-based organization has praised the participation of women so far. The organization reported a good number of women are showing up to vote and in some cases, more women are seen in voting queues than men.

Zimbabwe votes for a president to lead the country for the next 5 years

Voting has officially opened today,Wednesday, August 23, 2023 across more than 12,300 polling stations in Zimbabwe. It is expected that close to 6.6 million registered voters will cast their ballots to elect members of parliament, the president, and councilors who will run the affairs of the country for the next 5 years. 

This will be the second general election since former President Robert Mugabe was ousted from office following a coup in 2017.

In all, there are 12 presidential candidates on the ballot. However, the main contest is expected to be between 80 year old  President Emmerson Mnangagwa, of the  Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party, who is nicknamed “The Crocodile”, and 45-year-old opposition leader Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

Opposition leader Chamisa is hopeful he will break the 43-year rule of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party, while Mnangagwa is seeking his second and final term in office.

Beyond the presidential elections, Zimbabweans will also vote for 210 national lawmakers and 1,970 local government and municipal leaders.

Although polls were opened on time, some polls have remained closed due to “logistical issues”.

According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, vote counting will start as soon as polling stations close, and parliamentary results are expected to trickle in over the course of thursday morning. The presidential result is also expected to come later, though well ahead of a five-day deadline.

For a candidate to be declared the winner of the presidential election, he or she must secure more than 50 percent of the total votes cast. If there is no outright winner, a run-off between the top two candidates will be held on October 2.

Unlike the presidential election, the parliamentary and local council candidates only need a simple majority of votes cast.

It is believed that the cost-of-living crisis in Zimbabwe, coupled with crippling power outages and an unstable local currency, are some of the key issues that will shape this year’s election.

Meanwhile, polls are expected to close at 7 p.m. (17:00 GMT) to make way for counting.

 AEP

Get the latest news and updates on elections in Africa by following us on twitter @africanelection and like our Facebook page: African Elections Project Facebook. 

 

 

10 Facts and figures you should know about Zimbabwe’s 2023 General Elections

It is almost here. The 2023 Zimbabwean General Elections, officially referred to as the "Harmonized Elections" by the Electoral Commission is scheduled to take place on August 23, 2023. Once again, Zimbabwean electorates will be offered the opportunity to elect members of parliament, president and councilors. 

With barely 24hours to the election day, the African Elections Project presents 10 facts about Zimbabwe’s upcoming 2023 General Elections.

1. This election will be the second general election conducted after the removal of former President Mugabe from office. 

2. 11 candidates have been approved by the Electoral Commission of Zimbabwe to contest in this year’s General Elections. However, the key contest is between incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, 80, from the governing ZANU-PF party, and Nelson Chamisa, 45, of the opposition Citizen's Coalition for Change (CCC).

3. Data published by the Electoral Commission indicates close to 6.6 million Zimbabweans have registered to cast their votes in the upcoming 2023 harmonized elections.

4. On the gender front, the number of registered female electorates is 3,551,997 representing 53.7% of the registered voters (a drop 0.3% from 2018) and 3,067,694 of males, representing 46.3 % of the total registered voters.

5. To win the presidency, a candidate must get more than 50% of the vote. If there is no outright winner, a run-off between the top two candidates will be held within 28-42 days.

6. Within the National Assembly, there are 60 seats reserved for women, six from each province.

7. Parliamentary and local council candidates only need a simple majority of votes cast.

8. The cost-of-living crisis in Zimbabwe coupled with the crippling power outages and unstable local currency are some of the key issues which will shape this year’s election.

9. According to Zimbabwe’s Electoral Act, results for any of the elections should be announced within five days from the close of polling.

10. The August 23 general election, Zimbabwe’s ninth since independence in 1980.

AEP

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Zimbabwe's 2023 Presidential Election: Get familiar with the main Contenders

 

Credit: AFP

Zimbabwe is heading to the polls on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, to elect its next president. About 6.6 million registered voters, across the 12,340 polling stations are ready to exercise their franchise in a crucial election that will determine the future of the country for the next 5 years. The two main contenders are Emmerson Mnangagwa, the incumbent President and flagbearer of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party (Zanu PF),  and Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the newly formed party – Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

The election comes at a time when the country is experiencing economic turmoil and a cost of living crisis. Some of the economic challenges include hyperinflation, sharp depreciation of the currency, rising interest rates, and high unemployment, among others.  Over the last two years alone, food prices have risen by 750 percent, petrol prices have increased by a whopping 900 percent and the Zimbabwean dollar has depreciated by 85 percent to the US dollar. These challenges have fuelled a cost of living crisis, particularly for households living below the poverty line.

These are the challenges voters will be considering as they prepare to choose their next leader. But will these challenges compel the majority of Zimbabweans to defy old-aged party allegiance and vote for a new candidate, or will they retain the status quo?

This article looks at the main contenders of the 2023 Zimbabwe election and their campaign messages.

Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party (Zanu PF)

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 80, is a veteran politician and the current president of Zimbabwe. He came to power in 2018, after winning a closely-contested election against Nelson Chamisa, with 50.8%. This was a year after the longest-serving president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe was ousted in a military coup. Mnangagwa was a very close ally of Robert Mugabe, serving under him as vice president, and the Minister of State Security. However, in 2017, he was sacked by President Mugabe over allegations of disloyalty.

Mnangagwa is seen as a pro-business, and his policies are geared towards promoting a business-friendly environment and attracting foreign direct investment. For instance, in 2018, when he took office, he scrapped a local ownership law – a law which required foreign-owned companies including mines to sell majority stakes to locals. He has also assured creditors and development partners of his resolve to implement economic reforms that are crucial to addressing the country’s nearly $8.3 billion of debts and arrears. 

In the upcoming election,  Mnangagwa is seeking a second term to continue with the economic reforms he started since his assumption into power in 2018. He has also promised to create jobs, reduce inflation, and improve the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans. Further, he has promised to improve the country's relationship with the international community – something that was poor since the Mugabe era.

However, critics of Mnangagwa have accused him of his poor handling of the economy – which has caused severe hardships, pushing millions of people into extreme poverty. He has also been accused of corruption and human rights abuse – allegations he has denied and insists that he is the right person to take Zimbabwe out of the current economic turmoil.

Nelson Chamisa, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)

Nelson Chamisa, 45, is a pastor and a lawyer by profession and the presidential candidate for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). Chamisa, inspired by Morgan Tsvangirai, transitioned from a student leader into national politics in 1999. He served as a minister of Information and Communication Technology from 2009 to 2013, when Robert Mugabe agreed to share power with the opposition, following the disputed 2008 elections.

In 2018, he lost to Mnangagwa in the presidential elections, with 44.3% of the total valid votes – an election that was allegedly rigged in favour of the latter. At that time, he was the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), following the death of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. However, he formed the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in 2022, following a legal battle which led to factions within the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Chamisa is regarded as a popular and charismatic political figure, particularly among the youth, and has been able to galvanise the middle class to support his cause. His message for the 2023 elections centres on the economic crisis. He has promised to, among other things, create jobs, reduce inflation and reduce the cost of living. He has also pledged to fight corruption and be more accountable and transparent to the citizenry. He says that his government will restore fiscal sustainability, respect fundamental human rights, and attract foreign direct investment by creating an enabling environment.

However, critics argue that Chamisa lacks political experience and that he is making unrealistic promises to attract votes without any clue on how to fund them. Some have argued that he lacks what it takes to move Zimbabwe out of the country out of the current economic quagmire.

The other candidates

One of the key persons political pundits expect to give the two frontrunners a run for their money is Douglas Mwonzora, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Movement (MDC). However, Mwonzora recently withdrew from the race accusing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of election mismanagement.

The other candidates are Elisabeth Valerio of United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA), Joseph Makamba Busha of FreeZim Congress, Blessing Kasiyamhuru of the Zimbabwean Partnership for Prosperity (ZIPP), and Trust Tapiwa Chikohora of the Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development (ZCPD).

The rest are Lovemore Madhuku of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Wilbert Archbald Mubaiwa of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa of the United African National Council (UANC), and Harry Peter Wilson of the Democratic Official Party (DOP).

Who wins?

Many political analysts have described this election as a “rematch” between Nelson Chamisa and Emmerson Mnangagwa, who battled against each other in the 2018 election. With the current economic crisis currently plaguing the country, the stakes are even higher and the competition is expected to be stiffer. Chamisa is considered a fresh face who will bring a “new dawn” to the management of the Zimbabwean economy. But can he leverage the frustrations of the masses over the economic crisis to craft a compelling message that will inspire hope and convince citizens to embrace change?

Mnangagwa is the current president of Zimbabwe amidst the current economic crisis, with its antecedent consequences. But at a time when the entire world is undergoing a recession on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, can Mnangagwa inspire hope within the citizens that he will use his experience to turn the fortunes of the country around?

Well, the candidate who can leverage the current economic circumstances to his advantage will certainly win the hearts of the people.

 

Conclusion

As the election draws closer, the economic turmoil and severe cost of living crisis will certainly play a significant role in who eventually emerges as a winner. However, the question of whether the majority of Zimbabweans will defy old-aged, historical allegiance and embrace change, or continue with the status quo remains a political question. The answer to this profound question lies solely in the hands of the electorates and we are looking forward to finding out at the final tally of votes cast on the 23rd of August 2023.

 AEP

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#ZimbabweDecides2023: How the youth and women are changing the election landscape

Source: AFP

As Zimbabwe prepares for its upcoming election, the participation of women and youth is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation's democratic landscape. The election will be held on the 23rd of August, 2023 for President and members of both houses of parliament. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of diverse voices in the political process, and efforts are being made to amplify the contributions of women and young people. This article highlights the significance of women and youth participation in the upcoming Zimbabwean elections.

The Dynamics of Politics in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) that was led by Robert Mugabe has dominated Zimbabwean politics since independence in 1980. Emmerson Mnangagwa became president in November 2017 after the military took charge and ousted Robert Mugabe after 37 years in office. Mr. Mnangagwa had previously served as first vice-president from 2014 until his dismissal on 6 November 2017. Two weeks later, the ruling Zanu-PF party sacked Mr. Mugabe as leader and appointed Mr. Mnangagwa as party president. Shortly after serving out Mugabe’s term in office, he was narrowly re-elected as president in a July 2018 election. An outcome which was questioned by his closest opponent, MDC Alliance candidate Nelson Chamisa.

 

Women’s Political Participation

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has approved 11 candidates for this year’s presidential elections. This is sharply down from the 23 who contested the last election, in 2018, no doubt because each candidate now has to pay $20,000 (£16,000), up from $1,000 (£800). But the contest is likely to be between two men: Incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the governing Zanu-PF party and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, from the Citizen's Coalition for Change (CCC). Elizabeth Valerio of the United Zimbabwe Alliance is the only female among the candidates. Strangely, she had been disqualified but successfully challenged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's decision to reject her nomination.

It is worthy to note that, Zimbabwe, a deeply conservative country, has always recorded a lower percentage of women participating as candidates in elections since independence in 1980 compared with men, despite constituting more than half of the electorate and of the total 15 million people in the country. Interestingly, the country in 2013 passed and adopted a pro-gender equality constitution that stipulated the reservation of 60 seats from the current 270 in parliament for women. The law stipulates that the seats be distributed among parties by proportional representation.

Despite the progressive laws that have been enacted, women are still not adequately represented in parliament or local authorities. Following the 2018 general election, only 48 per cent of Senators were women and only 31 per cent of Members of the National Assembly were women. In the March 26 parliamentary by-elections, only 16 female candidates participated out of 118 candidates vying for 28 seats in the National Assembly. The local government polls saw 76 female candidates contest against 291 males for 118 seats. Only five female candidates won parliamentary seats while 18 made it to their respective councils as opposed to 103 men.

Zimbabwe has done a great deal to enact laws encouraging women’s participation in politics.  Good laws are however not the gamechanger. There is a need for reforms that tackle the deeply ingrained cultural and structural barriers that hinder women's full political engagement As Zimbabwe moves forward, it must aspire to create an environment where women can thrive as leaders and contribute to shaping the nation's future.

 

Youth Participation

Young people in Zimbabwe constitute 67.7% of the total population; their effective participation in electoral and governance processes remains a cornerstone to achieve sustainable inclusivity and enhanced civic engagement in politics.  The youth in Zimbabwe are embracing their role as catalysts for change in the upcoming election. A recent Afrobarometer pre-election survey results has revealed a promising trend in Zimbabwe's political landscape, particularly among the youth demographic. A substantial portion of Zimbabwe's young population has taken an active interest in the upcoming elections, with 65% of individuals aged 18-25 and 86% of those aged 26-35 registering to vote, showcasing their commitment to shaping the destiny of their nation.

 

A significant stride towards a more inclusive and representative democracy in Zimbabwe is the establishment of a youth quota for the upcoming election. This progressive move, as outlined in the constitution has resulted in the creation of 10 parliamentary seats reserved exclusively for youth aged between 21 and 35. This should be accepted by young people as a victory for the youth mainstreaming agenda. This provision serves as a pivotal entry point for young individuals, ensuring their active participation in the 10th Parliament and making the long-standing call for youth participation tangible reality.

As the country builds up to the elections on August 23rd there is an opportunity for young people to break barriers by voting for young candidates whom they can hold accountable.