Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 26th August 2023

Source: Zimbabwe Vigil Diary: 26th August 2023

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/53142674592/sizes/m/

Another virtual Vigil today continues our protest against the human rights abuse and lack of democracy in Zimbabwe. So, the election results are out. Sadly no surprises. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has announced that Mnangagwa has retained the presidency with 52.6% of the vote while Chamisa received 44% of the vote. This is not accepted by the opposition whose parallel tabulation had given Chamisa 57% of the vote.

However election observers said the vote did not meet international standards and was conducted in a ‘climate of fear’. For the EU’s Election Observer Mission’s statement check: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eom-zimbabwe-2023/eu-eom-zimbabwe-2023-curtailed-rights-and-lack-level-playing-field-compounded-intimidation-election_en and for a video of SADC’s statement check: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMx6ML8MSOs. The African Union and Commonwealth election observers also condemned the disputed election. One new element of this election that the SADC election observers have for the first time been heavily critical of the Zimbabweans electoral processes. This is reflected in an article by Vigil activist, Simbarashe Jingo, check: https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-opinion-sc-columnist-byo-234843.html.

Our virtual Vigil activists today were Chido Makawa and Blessing Harry who kindly contributed to Vigil funds. For photos, see: https://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/albums/72177720310747135.

For Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website.

Events and Notices:

• Next Vigil meeting outside the Zimbabwe Embassy. Saturday 2^nd September from 2 – 5 pm. We meet on the first and third Saturdays of every month. On other Saturdays the virtual Vigil will run.
• The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe. Please note that the official website of ROHR Zimbabwe is http://www.rohrzimbabwe.org/. Any other website claiming to be the official website of ROHR in no way represents us.
• The Vigil’s book ‘Zimbabwe Emergency’ is based on our weekly diaries. It records how events in Zimbabwe have unfolded as seen by the diaspora in the UK. It chronicles the economic disintegration, violence, growing oppression and political manoeuvring – and the tragic human cost involved. It is available at the Vigil. All proceeds go to the Vigil and our sister organisation the Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe’s work in Zimbabwe. The book is also available from Amazon.
• Facebook pages:  

Vigil : https ://www.facebook.com/zimbabwevigil

ROHR: https://www.facebook.com/Restoration-of-Human-Rights-ROHR-Zimbabwe-International-370825706588551/

ZAF: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zimbabwe-Action-Forum-ZAF/490257051027515