Emerson Mnangagwa, the President of Zimbabwe previously unleashed the army to harass members of the opposition in the previous elections, we hope this time he will allow Zimbabweans to elect their President freely and/or without intimidation.
Hopewell Chinono, a Zimbabwean investigative journalist has been consistently persecuted by the government of ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front(ZANU-PF) for exposing corruption, this must come to an end.
Even in this tiny Kingdom of eSwatini, King Mswati is using the army to protect his Throne, dozens of civilians were killed in June 2021 merely for demanding democratic reforms.
The opposition must consider reporting President Mnangangwa to the International Criminal Court(ICC) should members of the army kill innocent Zimbabweans again during the upcoming elections, if President Mnangagwa is serious about his call for the lifting of sanctions, he must demonstrate that by respecting human rights.
One of the basic and fundamental rights is the right to vote and this, I would suggest, can be exercised not only in a peaceful political environment but through transparent, credible, free and fair elections.
As the situation stands,Zimbabwe is ruled by a military government, incompetent Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was appointed not my merit or capability but, for playing a key role in toppling the late President Robert Mugabe.
We are not suggesting that Mnangagwa, who is also a soldier by ‘profession’ must step down but, we are appealing that he must allow the people to exercise their democratic right to choose their President.
But the world must assist President Mnangagwa to do the right thing, sanctions are not enough, the International Criminal Court(ICC) must consider investigating possible crimes against humanity in Zimbabwe particularly during elections where the army is used to undermine democratic principles.
Worth-noting, in 2018 during elections, after the alleged vote rigging, President Mnangagwa unleashed the army to protestors and subsequently appealed for peace, to the now leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change(CCC) Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
Mnangagwa normally speaks about peace in his political statements but, went on to do the opposite by unleashing the army to the innocent Zimbabweans.
The media in that country is controlled by the State and as a result, it is difficult to access information yet innocent citizens are abducted, harassed, intimidated, tortured and killed with impunity by the Mnangagwa regime.
President Mnangagwa with King Mswati.