Carter Center Condemns Violence in Zimbabwe; Calls for Responsible Leadership, Peaceful Participation, and Transparency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: In Atlanta, Soyia Ellison, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org

HARARE, ZIMBABWE – The Carter Center expresses grave concern about post-election tensions and the violent clashes that occurred today between armed security forces and protestors in Harare, which resulted in multiple casualties. The Center calls on Zimbabwe’s political leaders to set an example by refraining from inflammatory rhetoric, which could incite further violence. Security forces should protect citizens and avoid disproportionate use of force. 

“The Carter Center stands with Zimbabwe in its commitment to peace and democracy,” former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said. “I urge political actors to demonstrate responsible leadership, Zimbabweans to exercise their political rights peacefully, and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to finalize detailed election results as transparently and expeditiously as possible.”

While citizens expressed their preferences at the ballot box, the electoral process is still ongoing as the ZEC continues to tabulate and finalize results. Until official results for the presidential contest and remaining parliamentary races are announced, it is critical for everyone to demonstrate patience and to avoid making premature declarations about the results.

Although the legal deadline for announcing electoral results is Aug. 4, The Carter Center calls on the ZEC to publish the results expeditiously and in a transparent manner, including at the polling-station level to allow political parties to verify the integrity of the results and to increase public confidence.

This election marks a critical juncture in Zimbabwe’s history, as it seeks greater democracy, freedom, and prosperity. The Center shares the Zimbabwean people’s commitment to these ideals.

The Carter Center deployed an expert mission to observe the 2018 harmonized elections. The Center conducted a pre-election assessment in March 2018 and established a presence in May 2018 to assess the electoral process. The team’s work is limited in nature and includes an analysis of Zimbabwe’s legal and electoral framework, election administration, political and electoral environment, campaign period, women’s participation, civil society engagement, and electoral dispute resolution. The Center did not conduct election day observation in a systematic and comprehensive manner. The expert mission will remain in Zimbabwe through Aug. 12 and will issue a final report on its findings.

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"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."
A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.