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Mnangagwa snubs demands, strengthens pact with military
By John Eche
Ahead of the June 2018 presidential elections, the opposition in Zimbabwe is tackling Zimbabwe’s new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa on the imperative of electoral reform.
According to them, one of the reasons why the Mugabe dictatorship lasted for as long as 37 years was on account of the nation’s jaded electoral structure.
Among other demands, they are asking that diaspora voting be introduced.
For example, there are an estimated one to five million Zimbabweans living and resident in neighbouring South Africa. Their being put on the ballot then, is expected to fundamentally alter the outcome of the vote.
The response from the government to these proposals has however been lukewarm, even as it consolidates on its pact with the military, which observers see as president Mnangagwa’s preferred route to secure a win in the forthcoming polls.
In the past few weeks, several top brass from the military have been rewarded with attractive political appointments.
Zimbabwe president, Emmerson Mnangagwa
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