The Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe advised citizens to avoid crowded places and stay vigilant due to the risk of tensions surrounding the election period. The agency cited concerns about possible unrest and suggested caution as the electoral process unfolds, a stance reported by TASS.
The Zimbabwean vote has been stretched to an extra day after irregularities were observed at several polling stations. A total of eleven candidates are contesting the presidency, including the sitting leader Emmerson Mnangagwa. The main challenger is Nelson Chamisa, who leads the Civic Coalition for Change, a major opposition grouping.
The embassy warned that in Harare, the capital, and in Bulawayo, the country’s second-largest city, there is a heightened likelihood of riots organized by opposition factions following the publication of results.
Earlier, Mnangagwa reiterated the government’s alignment with the Russian Federation’s stance on neo-colonial behavior in Africa, signaling a shared viewpoint on post-colonial dynamics and regional influence.
On July 27, reports indicated that a helicopter was donated to President Mnangagwa by the Russian leadership, a gesture that underscored continued cooperation and visibility between the two states during the electoral period.
In the context of their public statements, Russian officials have emphasized commonalities between Africa and Russia, highlighting shared interests and a mutual perspective on development and regional partnerships.