Zimbabwe to allow EU to observe president polls in July

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The European Union will deploy observers to Zimbabwe's general election expected in July, the first time in 16 years the bloc will monitor polls in the African country, according to memorandum signed by the two sides on Monday.

The document outlined guidelines for election monitors.

The Zimbabwe's government formally invited the EU in March to send an election observation mission. The elections will be the first since long-time ruler Robert Mugabe was removed from power last November following a brief military takeover.

Delegates arrive at the ruling party ZANU-PF's election manifesto launch in Harare, Zimbabwe, May 4, 2018. /VCG Photo

Mugabe's successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, will be running against Nelson Chamisa, 40, of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

Mnangagwa has vowed to hold a free and fair vote.

2000: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe arrives with his wife Grace for an election rally in Madziwa, a village north of Harare. /VCG Photo

"EU welcomes the commitment of the government to peaceful, credible, inclusive and transparent elections," Philippe Van Damme, head of the EU delegation in Zimbabwe, said after signing the memorandum with Zimbabwe's foreign minister Sibusiso Moyo.

In addition to observing the run-up to the elections and election day itself, the observer mission will also monitor electoral complaints that may be lodged after the elections, the EU mission in Harare said in a statement.

Source(s): AFP