U.S. observers: Zimbabwe has no democratic culture…

U.S. observers: Zimbabwe has no democratic culture where citizens can vote freely

HARARE, Aug 26 (Reuters) – U.S. election observers said Zimbabwe lacked a “tolerant democratic culture” in which political parties were treated equally and citizens were allowed to vote freely.

The International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute released their critical joint statement hours before President Emmerson Mnangagwa was due to take the oath of office on Sunday following Zimbabwe’s July 30 election.

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has rejected the ruling of the Constitutional Court that confirmed Mnangagwa as president after a vote that had been touted as a crucial step towards shedding Zimbabwe’s pariah reputation and securing international donor funding to revive the economy.

The U.S. observers also said in their statement that Zimbabwe’s security forces must refrain from use of excessive force during this politically sensitive period. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe Editing by Gareth Jones)

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