UK Minister for Africa Harriett Baldwin Issues Statement on Zimbabwe 2018 Elections

In light of the recent tumultuous elections, the United Kingdom’s Minister of State for Africa, Harriett Baldwin has made an official statement. In it, the statement, the British Foreign Minister makes cites the outcome of the election, comments on its fairness. The Minister also touches base on the subject of the violence that has since ensued. Referring to the latter, Harriet Baldwin calls the response of Zimbabwe National Army disproportionate and saddening.

In the early hours of Friday the 3rd of August, Zimbabwe Electoral Chairperson Advocate Chigumba pronounced Emmerson Mnangagwa as the winner of the Presidential Elections.

In the statement, Harriet Baldwin refers to Zimbabwe as a partner that the United Kingdom will continue to work with. You can read the statement as was presented the United Kingdom’s Governmental News page below:

The UK was encouraged that Zimbabweans turned out in record numbers to vote in the elections on 30 July, and particularly the increase in first-time voters, including many young, urban Zimbabweans, who found themselves excluded from previous electoral rolls.

While polling day passed off peacefully, a number of concerns have been raised by observer missions, particularly about the pre-election environment, the role of state media, and the use of state resources. There is much to be done to build confidence in Zimbabwe’s electoral process.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the violence following the elections and the disproportionate response from the security forces. We have urged all parties to work together to ensure calm. It is vital that any appeals against the results or the process are handled swiftly and impartially. All candidates have a responsibility to ensure their supporters act with restraint and avoid violence, while any challenges to the results are resolved.

We will continue to work with the Government and the Zimbabwean people to support democracy and good governance, help with the country’s development, and promote regional security and prosperity. The UK remains a close partner of the Zimbabwean people in their quest for a better future.