Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa is on the brink of taking his oath for a second term in office.
Official results indicate that he secured nearly 53% of the vote in the presidential election, a contest that international observers deemed to have fallen short of democratic standards.
His Zanu-PF party also triumphed in the parliamentary vote, securing close to two-thirds of the seats.
Nelson Chamisa, Mr. Mnangagwa’s primary rival, has called for fresh elections and has until Monday to request the court to overturn the election results.
Preparations for Mr. Mnangagwa’s inauguration are in full swing, with several heads of state confirming their attendance. The government remains confident that the ceremony will proceed as planned.
However, an official revealed to the BBC that if the opposition submits their court application before the inauguration, the event could be called off.
Mr. Chamisa’s Citizens’ Coalition for Change has denounced Mr. Mnangagwa’s election victory as fraudulent, although they have not officially confirmed whether they will pursue legal action.
The scathing criticism from international observers regarding the election results is likely to impede Mr. Mnangagwa’s efforts for increased international re-engagement and economic recovery. Nonetheless, the presence of certain regional leaders is expected to provide a semblance of legitimacy to his leadership.