A BID TO REVERSE SADC ELECTION CONDEMNATION AT UPCOMING SUMMIT

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa is gearing up for a major regional summit in Harare this August, with high stakes involving his leadership legitimacy and regional diplomatic dynamics. The summit is set to become a battleground over the Southern African Development Community (SADC) election observer mission’s damning report, which last year marked a significant moment by rejecting Zimbabwe’s general elections as flawed.

President Mnangagwa’s leadership has been marred by controversy since he assumed power through a coup in 2017, followed by elections in 2018 and 2021, which many considered disputed. His tenure has consistently been challenged by legitimacy deficits both on democratic and performance grounds.

This year’s regional summit presents Mnangagwa with an opportunity to counteract the negative impact of the SADC observer mission’s report. According to a senior SADC diplomat speaking to The NewsHawks, Mnangagwa is currently engaged in intense behind-the-scenes efforts to isolate Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who has been a vocal critic of Mnangagwa’s election tactics.

Diplomatic sources highlight that Hichilema has previously rallied SADC leaders to address Zimbabwe’s notorious history of contentious elections. In a bold move, he appointed Zambian opposition leader and former Vice-President Nevers Mumba to lead the SADC election observer mission. Mumba’s leadership resulted in a forthright report that condemned the election process, citing inconsistencies with the Zimbabwean constitution, national laws, and SADC’s guidelines on democratic elections.

The fallout from the report was severe, with Zimbabwean officials from Zanu PF and the government openly criticizing Hichilema for allegedly supporting the opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), and its leader Nelson Chamisa. Despite these accusations, the Zambian stance remained firm, and Chamisa later departed from CCC, which is now perceived as infiltrated by Zanu PF proxies utilizing various state apparatuses.

The political drama extends beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. Mnangagwa, born and raised in Zambia, has shown an interest in Zambian politics, particularly in supporting former President Edgar Lungu. Lungu, who lost to Hichilema in 2021 but is eligible for another term, has received backing from Mnangagwa for a political comeback in the 2026 elections.

Hichilema’s response to the disputed elections was to initiate key summits in Zambia and Angola, which collectively rejected the legitimacy of Zimbabwe’s election results. This action deepened the regional divide and set the stage for a potentially volatile confrontation at the upcoming Harare summit.

As Mnangagwa prepares to assume the role of SADC chairperson, the summit is expected to be tense, with the possibility of Hichilema’s absence being a significant indicator of the escalating tensions. The Zimbabwean leader has invested heavily in the summit’s success, renovating infrastructure and building new facilities to impress his counterparts, all while seeking to diminish Hichilema’s influence within the SADC.

The dynamics of the upcoming summit reflect more than just a regional dispute; they encapsulate the ongoing struggles for democracy, legitimacy, and influence across Southern Africa. With Mnangagwa seeking to overturn the SADC’s previous condemnation, the event is poised to not only shape his own political future but also to impact the broader geopolitical landscape of the region.