The Southern African Liaison Office

The Southern African Liaison Office

International liaison, dialogue and research.

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SALO Public Dialogue: Disputed Elections, Reports, and an Inauguration: What is Next for Zimbabwe?

SALO

The Southern African Liaison Office held a virtual, public dialogue following the 2023 Zimbabwe elections under the title: Disputed Elections, Reports, and an Inauguration: What Is Next for Zimbabwe? 

Watch here: https://fb.watch/njYNAcx9My/

The objective of this dialogue was to analyse the pressing issues arising from Zimbabwe’s recent elections in order to build national, regional and international consensus. These elections have once again exposed a troubling pattern of failure to uphold free, fair, and credible democratic processes in the country. We looked at the possible responses from South Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the broader international community regarding these elections.
 
The key findings of recent reports on the elections have highlighted numerous challenges, including:

  • Widespread irregularities and a disregard for both domestic and international voting standards.
  • The announcement of election results without the disclosure of disaggregated data, contrary to international best practices.
  • Disputes surrounding the outcome, with the incumbent declared the winner amid controversy.
  • A lack of transparency in various aspects of the electoral process, such as the voters’ roll, media access, and voter intimidation.
  • Concerns raised by observer missions about structural and systemic issues that undermine the democratic process in Zimbabwe 

These findings underscore the urgency of addressing the situation in Zimbabwe and the need for diplomatic engagement. We believe that constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts are essential in advocating for positive change in the country. We appreciate your participation in this critical dialogue, where we can collectively work towards fostering democratic principles and transparency in Zimbabwe and the SADC region at large.