In a surprising and controversial move, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa congratulated Mozambique’s ruling party, Frelimo, and its candidate, Daniel Chapo, for winning the elections. What shocked many is that the results of the elections had not yet been announced. This action has raised serious questions about political interference and respect for democracy.

Mnangagwa is the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This makes his actions even more significant because his role comes with a responsibility to promote fairness and transparency in the region. Mozambicans voted on October 9, and the official results were expected to be announced on Friday. Despite this, Mnangagwa already called the election a “resounding victory” for Frelimo and Chapo.

This statement has caused concern over the independence of Mozambique’s Electoral Commission. The commission is supposed to be neutral, but Mnangagwa’s remarks before their announcement suggest otherwise. His early endorsement has led to increased tensions in Mozambique and the surrounding region.

The situation in Mozambique has been tense since the elections. Protests and violent clashes have broken out across the country. Opposition groups allege that the elections were not fair and claim there were cases of vote manipulation, rigging, and fraud. Many citizens feel frustrated and angry about the process. Riot police have been clashing with supporters of Venancio Mondlane, Chapo’s main rival. Sadly, several opposition supporters have lost their lives during these protests, adding to the country’s growing instability.

Election observers from various missions reported that the elections were deeply flawed. They found evidence of irregularities and instances of fraud during the process. Despite these serious issues, Mnangagwa went ahead and endorsed the elections. Many believe this violates the Mozambican constitution and SADC’s own guidelines on democratic elections. These guidelines are supposed to ensure that elections are free, fair, and transparent.

Mnangagwa’s actions remind many of what happened during Zimbabwe’s own elections in August. His re-election was heavily criticized by SADC’s election observer mission, which was led by Nevers Mumba, a former vice president of Zambia. The mission found that Zimbabwe’s elections were also flawed and not in line with democratic principles. This led to divisions within the region and created tension between Mnangagwa and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema.

It seems that history may repeat itself. Mnangagwa’s decision to endorse the Mozambican elections could create more divisions within the SADC region. As the chairperson, Mnangagwa is expected to uphold the region’s principles and guidelines. However, his actions have raised serious doubts about his commitment to these standards.

Meanwhile, the political crisis in Mozambique is worsening. Opposition supporters feel that their voices are being ignored, and they continue to take to the streets in protest. The heavy presence of riot police has only added to the tension. It is unclear how the situation will develop in the coming days, but the outlook appears grim.

Mnangagwa’s early congratulations have sparked debate and criticism from many quarters. His disregard for constitutional processes in Mozambique has raised concerns about his motives and the potential impact on regional stability. By acting so quickly, he has added to an already unstable political situation.

Now, many people are left wondering why Mnangagwa acted in such haste. What are his real motives? How will this affect regional politics and relations between SADC member states? These are questions that remain unanswered. All eyes are on Mozambique as the official results are awaited. The hope is that the election process will continue in line with the country’s laws and bring some stability to the nation.

For now, one thing is clear: Mnangagwa’s actions have not gone unnoticed. They could have serious consequences for both Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Whether this will lead to long-term damage or serve as a wake-up call for the region remains to be seen.