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Zimbabwe’s Opposition CCC Calls for Nationwide Protests


FILE - A supporter of Zimbabwe's main opposition leader and leader of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Nelson Chamisa waves a flag during the party's final rally ahead of the elections in Harare, Zimbabwe, August 21, 2023
FILE - A supporter of Zimbabwe's main opposition leader and leader of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Nelson Chamisa waves a flag during the party's final rally ahead of the elections in Harare, Zimbabwe, August 21, 2023

HARARE — Zimbabwe’s main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, Friday called nationwide protests and a re-run of elections that resulted in President Emmerson Mnangagwa winning his second term in office.

The southern African nation’s main opposition party accuses the ruling ZANU-PF of suppressing the vote in areas where it polls well.

In response, CCC called for nationwide protests and asked activists to launch online campaigns while sharing evidence of voting malpractice.

Promise Mkwananzi, CCC’s spokesperson said the opposition party is “encouraging people to behave in a peaceful manner.”

“The protests are up to the people. We just want their vote to find expression,” he added.

CCC has so far not lodged a court appeal to challenge the outcome of the elections, which per the nation’s constitution should be done within seven days after the results have been declared.

The opposition party wants other African nations to intervene and mediate its dispute with ZANU PF who won the parliamentary election but fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to change the constitution.

The ruling party says there were no irregularities during the 2023 general elections and its presidential candidate, Mnangagwa, has urged anyone with complaints to go to the courts.

Analysts argue the CCC’s chances of overturning the election results via the courts are slim given the judicial system is viewed as being controlled by ZANU PF.

Prior to the CCC’s calls for protests, Mnangagwa officiated over a ceremony to open a lithium plant in Buhera, where he warned that “anybody who may want to bring chaos in this country (Zimbabwe) we are ready.”

“Whoever shall preach hate speech will be responsible for their hate speech, our prisons are not full,” Mnangagwa added.

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