Zimbabwe's first presidential election since the downfall of Robert Mugabe on Monday has sadly gone awry.
Election officials have delayed releasing results, which caused citizens to rush the streets in protest, accusing Mugabe's party of working to manipulate the results, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Things turned fatal when the military used force to break up protests in the capital of Harare, resulting in the deaths of at least three people.
The main opposition party maintained its leader, Nelson Chamisa, actually defeated current Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Chamisa declared his victory early this week based on unofficial results posted online, PBS NewsHour reports.
On Wednesday afternoon, about 150 angry protesters gathered outside of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), started fires and threw rocks at police attempting to disperse the large groups. Things escalated to violence when the military appeared with armored vehicles.
“You see, they are using military! How can a general be a president? That government is full of military personnel!” one man in the crowd shouted, per VOA News.
The protesters are so passionate because this election was the first in 38 years disgraced former president Robert Mugabe hasn't appeared on the ballot.
"We've only known one president until now," one young man told PBS. "So I think this [election] demonstrates change."
Mnangagwa took to Twitter on Wednesday urging the country's residents to remain calm.
At this crucial time, I call on everyone to desist from provocative declarations and statements. We must all demonstrate patience and maturity, and act in a way that puts our people and their safety first. Now is the time for responsibility and above all, peace
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) August 1, 2018
As this day that ended in tragedy comes to a close, I implore all political and community leaders to utter these words loudly and clearly to all those who follow them – “Seek Peace and Pursue it!”
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) August 1, 2018
Chamisa's spokesman, Nkululeko Sibanda, denied the opposition has encouraged violence, telling the press Chamisa "has not ordered any guns on the street. So he cannot be accused of being violent, because he has put no guns on the street."
Zimbabwe's electoral commission expects to announce when the results will be released "sometime" Thursday.
Now, check these out:
White Farmers Are Suing Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe For Seizing Land
First White Farmer To Get Land Back After Zimbabwe Government Seizures Celebrates
Zimbabwe's Rugby Team Had To Sleep On The Tunisian Streets Ahead Of World Cup Qualifier
