Zimbabwe votes without Mugabe for the first time in 38 years

For many years, more specifically 38, Zimbabwe was synonymous with Robert Mugabe. But eight months ago that changed. The man who ruled the country of southern Africa since he got his independence from the UK discovered that after all, after all that time, he was relying on himself. And after strong pressure, including from the army, he left power and was forced to give way to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, known by the nickname Crocodile . The African National Union of Zimbabwe – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF), Mnangagwa, 75, is one of 23 candidates in the presidential election on Monday, a record number. And four of them are women. Its main rival is the leader of the Democratic Movement for Change (MDM), Nelson Chamisa, who is only 40 years old. The fight between the two politicians is very hard and, judging by the polls, no candidate should get a clear majority in the presidential elections. Which will force a second round. September 8

According to an Afrobarometer poll, released June 20 and quoted by Reuters, Robert Mugabe's successor to Zanu-PF gets 40% of the vote and Morgan Tsvangirai's MDM with 37%. The survey was conducted between June 25 and July 6, with a sample of 2,400 adults, since 20% of respondents did not want to reveal which candidate they would vote in the presidential election on Monday. . The survey also revealed that Mnangagwa has more supporters in rural areas and that in the urban areas of the country voters prefer Chamisa.

Hyperinflation has reached 231 million (19659004) opposition may finally favor Mnangagwa. "The fact that there are 23 candidates also indicates that the political space has been opened following the fall of autocrat Robert Mugabe," said William Atwell,, consultant for emerging markets. Sub-Saharan Africa to US Frontier Strategy Group

International investors, as well as observers and international organizations, are paying attention to these elections. Many hope that the winner of this vote will pave the way for economic revitalization in post-Mugabe Zimbabwe. After years of mismanagement, corruption, unemployment affects 90% of the workforce, according to the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions, and since 1999 the country has not had access to international markets because of the non-payment of interest on the debt.

Hyperinflation, which reached 231 million in 2008, forced the country to use other currencies. To remedy the situation, in 2015, the government ordered the exchange of Zimbabwe dollars against US dollars. 175 quintals of Zimbabwean dollars (175,000,000,000,000,000) exchanged gave $ 5. The collapse of the currency affected the income of several officials, who complained that they had not received them for years, like many civil servants.

Zimbabwe, 40% of voters are under 35 years old. Many hope that after these elections, it will be possible to find at least one job. "At the moment, there is nothing for young people here, neither in terms of employment nor in terms of education," said Tendai Chipangwa, a young man selling juice in the streets of Harare. . And Mugabe's departure from power? What impact does it have? "I think it's very important at the symbolic level, for the national psychological, because we clearly see things going differently and there are more and more people involved," Fadzayi Mahere said. Independent candidate for a deputy seat in the Zimbabwe Parliament in these elections guarantees: "Certainly young people are ready to take the reins and get more involved in politics."

Minister was arrested, tourism increased by 15%

Tourism in Zimbabwe has increased by 15% since Mugabe's release from power. According to official figures, the number of tourists visiting the country amounted to 554,417 in the first quarter of the year

During the first three months of the year, the number of 39, foreigners visiting Victoria Falls, one of the main tourist attractions The increase in interest was received with relief by those responsible for safaris and cruises, businesses affected by the economic crisis and by the climate of political violence that marked the Mugabe era. "

" We have been isolated for a long time, but we have become again, "said Minister of Tourism Prisca Mupfumira, in an interview with the French news agency AFP . there are good prospects in the tourism industry, "added the minister, while the tourism sector contributes to 10% of the country's GDP.

But this is not only A paradigm shift: In the fight against corruption, for example, Mugabe's former energy minister, Samuel Undenge, was arrested and sentenced on July 20 to four years in prison. Former leader, the first Mugabe era to be arrested, was accused of having awarded a contract worth $ 12,650 to a company of a party leader. in power – Zanu-PF

Another sign is the approach of the current leader of the State Emmerson Mnangagwa to the white citizens of Zimbabwe, persecuted for decades. and despised by the Mugabe regime. There are not many of them. There are about 30 thousand. They saw their farms go to the hands of the military or local chiefs. And they would normally vote for MDM (opposition). "I know some of these local chefs who went from one farm to another, then he spoiled it, then they gave him another one, and he ruined it also." This time it's over, "said Mugabe's successor.White farmers, at least some, seem to have liked what they heard." This has never happened before, so that's fine, "said mining engineer Cais Carstens

No money even to buy sanitary napkins

] There are many in Zimbabwe. For example, according to a report from the Thomson Reuters Foundation, things as simple as sanitary tampons for menstruation.For many girls that means not going to school in the days of the period. Wait until teachers give them bandages, use pieces of cloth, plant leaves or even newspapers.

"Some girls use grass and tree leaves instead of sanitary napkins. " said Obert Masaraure, president of the Confederation of Rural Teachers' Unions of Zimbabwe

" It's a major challenge because most families here live on only $ 1 a day, "said Catherine Mkwapati, director of the Youth Dialogue Action Network, a civil society organization working with schools.

In Zimbabwe, a pack of sanitary napkins, which cost $ 1 in 2015, now costs $ 5. Since the average monthly salary is $ 253, many families give priority to $ 5 for a 20-kilogram sack of rice.

This is a problem that does not only affect teenage girls. "I share a towel with my 16 year old daughter during menstruation because the grocery store, for us, is very expensive, but even if it was cheaper, we would not have money, "says Tracy Hungwe,

As part of the campaign for these elections, the first lady of Zimbabwe, Auxilia Mnangagwa, distributed free sanitary napkins, which gives hope that the situation would improve. "If we vote for the right person, things can improve for us, poor women in trouble," said Maria Chaodza, 17, a daughter of Makonde Farmers.

Women make up 54% of registered voters in Zimbabwe. For the first time, there are candidates for the presidency. Four. Of the 1,600 candidates for parliamentary seats, 15% are women. Fadzayi Mahere, one of them, has already rejected criticism and insults directed against women in the country and considered by the UN as unacceptable

"Marriage, although it's a nice thing, it's not a success. "The candidate said in her Twitter social network account in an answer to people expressing their concern of being led by a single woman. [19659013] "I will need more than to tell me that I do not have children or husband to"

UN and the EU call for transparent elections [19659004InthelatterpartofthecampaignanumberofinternationalorganizationsincludingtheUnitedNationssuchastheUNandtheEUhavecalledfortheelectionstobeconductedpeacefullyfreefairanddemocratic

"We call on the authorities, the political parties and their associates to ensure that these elections are not marked by these acts, so that all Zimbabwean citizens can participate without fear in a credible electoral process" appealed to Liz Throssell, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Amnesty International has argued that candidates and political parties in this southern African country must break with the regime. of Mugabe and promoting respect for and the protection of human rights In a document entitled "Breaking with the past", the non-governmental organization made seven recommendations, including the end of the death penalty , the political persecution leading to the disappearance, torture and death of the opponents and the end of the impunity of the security forces.

The European Union, for its part, recalled that the Monday's 30th exam is a test for Zimbabwe's future. "These elections are a key test for the reform process," said Elmar Brok, head of the European Monitoring Mission in those elections

The former Zimbabwean president reappeared Sunday to speak to the press at his home in Harare. "For the first time, we have a long list of aspirants in power," said the 94-year-old former president at a press conference . "I can not vote for those who mistreated me, I will make my choice among the other 22 candidates."

"I can not vote for Zanu-PF," Mugabe said on his own. party "What remains? [Nelson] Chamisa", said, referring to the head of the MDC (opposition). "He seems to be doing well at his meetings," Mugabe said of his successor in power, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Mugabe blamed "evil and malicious characters" for his withdrawal, after more than three decades and a half of power in Zimbabwe, referring to "even though resigned to avoid a" bloodshed. "