Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa congratulated himself on Sunday on remaining at the head of a “mature democracy” and an “independent and sovereign nation”, the day after the announcement of his re-election after an election. disputed and with numerous dysfunctions.

“We have demonstrated that we are a mature democracy,” said the 80-year-old head of state, reappointed for a second term, in a speech delivered at the presidential palace in the capital Harare.

“We are proud to be an independent and sovereign nation,” he continued, thanking “the observation missions that witnessed our electoral processes without bias.”

Earlier in the week, observers from the European Union, Southern Africa (SADC) and Commonwealth countries unanimously questioned the fairness of the poll.

Zimbabweans went to the polls on Wednesday and Thursday to choose their president and MPs. The ballot, which was to close on Wednesday evening, had to be extended to the next day. Failures, including the lack of ballots in offices, have multiplied, especially in Harare, an opposition stronghold.

According to the official results announced late Saturday, Mr. Mnangagwa obtained 52.6% of the votes cast, against 44% in favor of Nelson Chamisa, his main rival at the head of the first opposition party (Coalition of Citizens for Change, CCC).

The CCC, which denounced fraud, refused to endorse the “distorted” results.

International observers have pointed to “serious problems” marring the “transparency” of the ballot and the violation of “many international standards” governing democratic elections.

Voters could not be found on the lists while others were intimidated at polling stations. The vote nevertheless took place in a “calm and peaceful” context.

“As a sovereign state, we ask all our guests to respect our national institutions,” Mr. Mnangagwa stressed, preferring to draw attention to “the enormous participation in the exercise of this sacred right which is the vote”.

Nearly 69% of registered voters turned out to vote, according to the electoral commission.

The campaign in the country, led with an iron fist by liberation hero Robert Mugabe until a coup in 2017, has been marked by a stark crackdown on the opposition.

In 2018, Mr. Mnangagwa, successor to Mugabe, was narrowly elected (50.8%). The army fired on demonstrators two days after the election, killing six. Mr. Chamisa, then already his opponent, had challenged the result before being dismissed by the courts.

08/27/2023 12:25:08 –         Harare (AFP) –         © 2023 AFP