Crisis Group: Zimbabwe - March 2017

March 2017

Supporters of opposition coalition National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) 22 March protested in Harare accusing Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of bias, calling for its dissolution and creation of independent tripartite election body run by AU, UN and Southern African Development Community (SADC). NERA 30 March reaffirmed call for ZEC's disbandment. Rival factions of ruling ZANU-PF party 5 March clashed in Bulawayo ahead of provincial coordinating committee meeting. Two senior ZANU-PF women's league members accused of corruption, fanning factionalism and undermining First Lady Grace Mugabe 30 March. Opposition and NGOs accused ZANU-PF members, traditional leaders and war veterans of violence and intimidation during month in Mwenezi East ahead of 8 April by-election.