The historic Zimbabwe presidential and parliamentary “harmonised’ elections of 30 July 2018 have just been concluded. The final results tally saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa getting 2,460,463 votes (50.8 percent), ahead of his nearest rival Nelson Chamisa who got 2,147,436 votes (44.3 percent). The 50.8 percent by the President meant he scrapped above the legal 50 percent plus one vote necessary to avoid a run-off election. 

The military intervention in Zimbabwe leading to the resignation of President Robert Mugabe was widely celebrated. But there is no justification for such a role under the constitution. What is more, the military has shown that it remains involved in the country’s politics. Given its past record in protecting the Mugabe regime, this is worrying for the future of democracy.