Zimbabwe troops in Harare until ‘situation over’

Zimbabwean authorities has said the military will remain in the capital until “this situation is over,” a reference to opposition protests over alleged manipulation of Monday’s election results.

Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu accused the opposition of using the presence of international election observers to “grandstand” and cause “anarchy.”

The officials offered no new information on the three people killed after the military swept into Harare yesterday and started shooting to disperse opposition protesters.

Police have said they requested the military’s help because they were “unable to cope.”

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Both the opposition and Western election observers have urged that results of the presidential election be released as soon as possible. Zimbabwe’s electoral commission says “sometime tomorrow” it will say when those will be announced.

Zimbabwe’s president has urged political leaders to advocate for peace “as this day that ended in tragedy comes to a close.”

President Emmerson Mnangagwa is tweeting not long after he blamed the opposition for deadly violence in the capital that he said was “meant to disrupt the electoral process.”

Zimbabweans were shocked after the military swept into Harare and opened fire to disperse opposition supporters protesting alleged manipulation in Monday’s election. At least three people were killed.

Both the opposition and Western election observers have urged that results of the presidential election be released as soon as possible. Zimbabwe’s electoral commission says “sometime tomorrow” it will say when those will be announced.

Mnangagwa blamed the opposition supporters for the violence in the capital that began with protests over Monday’s election results and ended with the military sweeping in with gunfire.

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President Mnangagwa, in a statement carried by state media, said the opposition under Nelson Chamisa were responsible for the chaos “meant to disrupt the electoral process.”

Police have invoked a strict security act that forbids public gatherings.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change told reporters that Chamisa is “shocked” by the events in Harare.

A spokesperson said, “We are seriously meant to wonder that this means. Are we at war?” The opposition says it condemns violence in all its forms.”

Both the opposition and Western election observers have urged that presidential election results be released as soon as possible. Zimbabwe’s electoral commission says “sometime tomorrow” it will say when those will be released.