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One Thursday morning in Mbare, the largest township of Harare. The clock hits ten o'clock and Liniency (28) installs his first seal. "My heart hurts," says the young mother with an absent smile
Leaning against a wall surrounded by a dozen friends, she picks up what was the subject of the day's discussions here : the elections. Yes, they are all ready, they say. Today, July 30, they go together to the urn.
Long lines in the early morning. Polling stations open at 7:00. # ZimDecides2018 pic.twitter.com/r9iUmsvxTh
– Saskia Houttuin (@saskiahouttuin) July 30, 2018
Who is their favorite? Some mention Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the MDC-Alliance opposition party. Most keep their mouths closed. They are not used to talking politics so openly. Their neighborhood is known as "politically sensitive" – when Robert Mugabe was still in power, there were often disturbances and collisions with the police. Now it's calm. "Always," says Adrain (25). In the controversial elections in 2008, Mbare was the scene of violence and intimidation.
Severe repression after a promising start
Until recently, most Zimbabweans did not live without Mugabe being their president. What began as a promising new beginning in 1980 after independence, eventually became years of economic disaster and severe repression.
Since 2013, it has been forbidden by law to undermine the president, whoever will do so will be liable to imprisonment." Again, says Lucky Aaroni, we are exploring our limits, but we can not go very far. We have to wait for the elections. You have heard this more often in Zimbabwe recently: "We must see it …", "After July 30 …", "We do not know yet …"
Concerns about Fair Trial [19659008] Although there are absolutely positive signs – international observers are welcome for the first time in a long time and the opposition is allowed to campaign freely – there are also worries about the # 39; equity of the electoral process
The organization of human rights "concerned about reports of harassment and threats of voters." Although they do not point to a person or a party, Human Rights Watch does: they say they are mainly members of the Zanu-PF party, so the
That does not mean that many Zimbabweans are going to vote on Zanu-PF today. "The Afrobarometer Research Bureau predicts that it will be a race between the neck and neck." And Mnangagwa (40%) and Chamisa (37%).
Mugabe's resignation meant the end of a difficult era. But is there a new era in Zimbabwe?
Dreams
At Mbare, they dare to dream with care. "In fact, I do not really care who wins," says Liniency. of half of the 5.6 million voters in Zimbabwe, like them, are under 40. Their vote in these presidential elections is therefore decisive. "We want someone who is willing to work for the country, for Zimbabwe, not for itself. "
" Amen, "answers his friends in unison." We just want peace and a better life. "
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