President Mnangagwa Files Papers to Contest Zimbabwe’s Upcoming Elections

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has filed his papers to contest Zimbabwe’s upcoming elections, insisting that the closely-watched vote would be peaceful despite complaints of an opposition crackdown.

Zimbabwe goes to the polls on August 23 to elect a president and legislature. Last week, 39 opposition activists were charged with “demolishing” the offices of the ZANU-PF party, which has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980.

Earlier this month, five opponents were arrested for allegedly assaulting ruling party supporters. Critics have accused the government of using the courts to target opposition politicians and say there has been an increase in arbitrary arrests and repression.

The opposition has complained about steep hikes in candidacy fees for the presidential elections, which have leapt from $1,000 in 2018 to $20,000 today.