HARARE
Zimbabwe
will hold elections in four to five months, the country’s new president
has said, pointing to an earlier date than expected following the
ousting of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa took office in November after a shock military takeover ended Mugabe’s 37-year reign.
“Zimbabwe
is going for elections in four to five months’ time and we have to
preach peace, peace and peace,” Mr Mnangagwa said yesterday during a
visit to neighbouring Mozambique.
Mnangagwa,
75, vowed to hold fair elections to ensure Zimbabwe “engages the world
as a qualified democratic state,” according to Thursday’s state-owned
Herald newspaper.
Under Mugabe, who
had ruled since 1980, Zimbabwean elections were marred by vote rigging,
intimidation and violent suppression of the opposition.
Mnangagwa was one of Mugabe’s closest allies
in the ruling Zanu-PF party, and he is accused of playing a key role in
the authoritarian regime that left the economy in ruins.
Mugabe,
93, was forced to quit when the military took power and once-loyal
Zanu-PF lawmakers launched impeachment proceedings against him.
Mugabe’s
final years in office were marked by a succession battle between
Mnangagwa, who was covertly backed by the military, and supporters of
Mugabe’s wife Grace.
Mnangagwa has
appointed military officials to key government positions and pledged to
revive the economy by boosting agricultural production and attracting
foreign investment.
The election had been expected in late July or August.
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