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There is another muddier possibility: an imperfect election finally tolerated by many Zimbabweans and foreign governments preferring some stability.
The fight between President Emmerson Mnangagwa, successor and former Mugabe operative, who now claims to represent the change, against Nelson Chamisa, the 40-year-old leader of a violence-targeted opposition and the government. intimidation in the past
The losses should accept defeat, the country must go forward, "said Tapiwa Bhera, who stood in what has become a desperate symbol of Zimbabwe – a long line in a Bank of the capital, Harare, looking for money
waiting disagree.
"What is the problem of asking for equity? We do not move if the wrong person is in power," Agatha Mangena said, echoing the opposition's wish to hold peaceful protests if Monday's vote was flawed.
Some banks started distributing money for the first time in months. a welcome turning point in a country with hollowed out industries and rampant unemployment. The hope is that successful elections, no matter what the outcome, will lead to foreign investment and the lifting of international sanctions.
"Zimbabwe is open for business," Mnangagwa said in his latest election campaign on Saturday. The former 75-year-old vice president, who has close ties with the military, is now talking about a "democratic space" for all. He was linked to bloody and confrontational politics for decades as a 94-year-old confidant of Mugabe, who ruled the independence of the white minority in 1980 until his resignation after taking power. military in November.
spoiled by violence and irregularities that benefited the ruling party, ZANU-PF. Under Mnangagwa, however, western election observers are returning to Zimbabwe for the first time in years and the opposition has campaigned without police intervention.
More than 20 presidential candidates and nearly 130 political parties will participate in the elections. for the 5.7 million registered voters of Zimbabwe. If no presidential candidate wins 50% of the vote, the second round will take place on 8th September.
Despite the new freedoms of the country, Chamisa predicts that the elections will be tainted by bias because of prejudice and ballot problems. the role of voters. He told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that he will lead peaceful protests if the vote is manipulated in favor of the ruling party.
"The abuses to which people have been subjected should not continue to be tolerated, because then it is, by interpretation, cowardice," said Chamisa, who drew large crowds with her fiery speeches that were 39, inspired by his work as pastor and lawyer
The concerns of the opposition are based on a bitter experience .- -rigging and attacks on supporters of the movement for democratic change have ensured a new Victory for Mugabe International pressure forced him into a coalition government uncomfortable with the MDC, but that did not last The ultimate control of Mugabe has never before doubted.
"We have already burned our fingers. We entered a government of "national unity", we realized that there was no unity, "said Chamisa, who took control of the MDC after the death of leader Morgan Tsvangirai in February
. Mugabe's military left may accept an opposition victory that could harm his interests or expose him to prosecution.
There are also questions about cohesion. Mnangagwa survived unhurt at a deadly grenade attack at a campaign rally on June 23; He later blamed a rival faction of the ruling party that is linked to Mugabe's wife, Grace, who seemed to want to fish for president a few months ago.
Settlement habits were difficult to break. State broadcaster ZBC showed the final Mnangagwa campaign rally but did not postpone coverage to Chamisa when he spoke later in the day. Opposition and some election observers say the state media favor the president's campaign
"As things stand, they already think they have won the elections," said the Opposition spokesman Kudakwashe Chipara. for change after difficult years under Mugabe, who once swore to reign for life. Some affectionately refer to the president as "E.D.", or the initials of his first names.
"Mugabe closed the door, but ED" The doors open in part because Zimbabwe needs international recognition, "said Elmar Brok, chief of the mission's observation the elections of the European Union
sanctions, "he said." They want to have good relations with the World Bank and the IMF and so on in order to avoid the bankruptcy of this country. "
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Associated Press Writer Farai Mutsaka in Harare, Zimbabwe Contributed
___ [19659030] Follow Christopher Torchia on Twitter at www.twitter.com/torchiachris
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press All rights reserved, This document may not be published, disseminated, rewritten or redistributed.
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