Emmerson Mnangagwa Wins 2nd Term in Presidential Election

Published on 28 August 2023 by

Emmerson Mnangagwa secures a second term as Zimbabwe’s leader after winning the presidential election. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced his victory with 52.6% of the vote, while his closest opponent, Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), trailed with 44%. This election holds significance as it occurs six years after the removal of long-standing ruler Robert Mugabe through a military coup.

Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Political Journey to Presidency

Born on September 15, 1942, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is a prominent Zimbabwean politician who assumed the presidency on November 24, 2017. A loyal member of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and a close associate of former President Robert Mugabe, Mnangagwa held key ministerial positions and served as Mugabe’s Vice-President until November 2017.

Zanu-PF’s Success and Constitutional Implications

In addition to winning the presidential race, Mnangagwa’s party, ZANU-PF, secured 136 parliamentary seats, while the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) obtained 73 seats. However, ZANU-PF fell short of achieving a two-thirds majority, which would have allowed them to amend the constitution.

Economic Struggles and Ongoing Food Insecurity

Despite winning a second term, Mnangagwa faces criticism for his economic management. High unemployment and poverty persist in a country that was once a southern African food hub. Despite claims of a bountiful harvest, nearly 3.8 million Zimbabweans are expected to experience food insecurity this year.