Zimbabwe: ZANU-PF political rally in Gweru September 1

Event

President Robert Mugabe is set to hold a rally on Friday, September 1, in Gweru (Midlands Province). Around 100,000 supporters of the president's party, ZANU-PF, are expected to attend the rally in support of Mugabe's 2018 re-election. Eight ambulances and some hundred health workers, including four doctors, have reportedly been mobilized to prevent any incidents.

Constitutionally, the country is due for polls between July and August 2018.

Context

Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa took seriously ill at a similar rally in southern Gwanda district last month, and was feared to have been poisoned by rival factions within the ZANU-PF party. Mnangagwa is seen as a strong contender to succeed Mugabe, but his faction faces fierce opposition from a faction loyal to First Lady Grace Mugabe. Midlands is the traditional power base of Mnangagwa.

Mugabe came to power after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980 and has yet to name a successor. Despite serious health concerns, ZANU-PF again endorsed him as its candidate for the 2018 election. However, the party has become divided over who will eventually succeed 93-year-old Mugabe. Opposition supporters have accused the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of attempting to rig the upcoming 2018 presidential election.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean economy is in the midst of a worsening recession and protests are common. Zimbabweans are often forced to wait long hours outside of banks to withdraw cash and the government is currently struggling to pay civil servants.

Advice

Individuals in Zimbabwe are advised to avoid all demonstrations due to the potential for violence and to anticipate heightened security measures.