Zimbabwe votes on its future

On 30 July, Zimbabwe will elect itself a president, for the first time after Robert Mugabe’s decades-long rule. Ambassador Timo Olkkonen follows the historic elections in Harare – and prepares for his new position as the Head of EU Delegation to Zimbabwe.

“These elections are an important milestone for Zimbabwe, absolutely. They will set out the country’s future direction, both politically and economically,” says Ambassador Timo Olkkonen.

Olkkonen will take up his new position as the Head of EU Delegation in Harare in early September. EU ambassadors are elected from among the senior officials of the European External Action Service and the European Commission, as well as the member states’ senior diplomats. The positions are subject to intense competition.

Ambassador Timo Olkkonen
Ambassador Timo Olkkonen follows Zimbabwe's elections in Harare. In early September he will take up his position as EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe.

His four years as Finland’s Ambassador to Zambia and Zimbabwe have provided Olkkonen with an excellent insight into Zimbabwe’s development. He says that the international community is following the elections exceptionally closely.

For Finland, the EU’s and Southern African Development Community SADC’s election observation missions are particularly important. Their assessments of the election process will be published later.

“The elections will not only determine Zimbabwe’s future direction but also show whether the level of political trust can be maintained. Trust is needed if the international community is to support the country in the much needed economic reforms.”

Robert Mugabe was removed from office last November. He ruled the country for nearly 40 years, first as prime minister and then as president. Zimbabwe’s economy collapsed at the turn of the millennium and international support vanished as result of Mugabe’s autocratic rule.

The election observers in the capital city are cautiously optimistic a few days prior the elections. In the elections of 2008 and 2013 the opposition faced downright persecution. Now it has been rather free to run its campaign.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, replaced Mugabe as the leader of the ZANU-PF and as the country’s president at the end of last year. He dominates the mainstream media and has been the favourite to win the election. However, Nelson Chamisa, 40, a challenger from the leading opposition MDC party has almost caught up with Mnangagwa. The social media, especially Twitter and WhatsApp, plays an important role in urban areas.

“Zimbabweans look forward to the elections and the turnout is expected to be high. The closer we get to the elections, the closer the margin between the two lead candidates has become. It can be said that Mugabe no longer casts his shadow over the elections,” says Ambassador Olkkonen.