Editor's note

Zimbabwe holds its much-anticipated, make or break elections on Monday following the ‘soft coup’ that forced Robert Mugabe to abdicate last November after ruling with an iron fist over 37 years.

Dumisani Moyo writes that the stakes are so high an unprecedented, vicious online propaganda war is being waged by both the ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition MDC-Alliance to win the race, which David Moore describes as close.

Gift Mwonzora, meanwhile, argues that Zimbabweans will be making their choice in a dramatically changed political landscape, and amid fears following the recent deadly bomb blast at a Zanu-PF election rally. And Brooks Marmon wonders if Zimbabwe can finally ditch its history of violence, which is key to the credibility of the election's outcome.

Elsewhere, Yvonne Rowa grapples with whether the Zimbabwean army can be trusted to safeguard rather than threaten democracy in the country. Stephen Chan weighs in on Emmerson Mnangagwa’s promises of flows of Western cash and a new start for Zimbabwe if he and Zanu-PF are elected.

Providing a wider context to the elections, Chris Saunders shows how stability in southern Africa depends on the way that political leaders in the region win or lose power.

Thabo Leshilo

Politics + Society Editor

Top Stories

Protesters from the MDC-Alliance march in Harare demanding electoral reforms. EPA-EFE/Aaron Ufumeli

A vicious online propaganda war that includes fake news is being waged in Zimbabwe

Dumisani Moyo, University of Johannesburg

Zimbabwe's upcoming elections potentially marks the start of a new order in the country, where the stakes are extremely high.

Supporters of the opposition MDC Alliance in Unity Square before marching to protest outside the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. David Moore

Zimbabwe poll: the bar for success is low, the stakes are high and it's a close race

David B. Moore, University of Johannesburg

A new survey suggests opposition Zimbabwean leader Nelson Chamisa is closing in on the ruling Zanu-PF's President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (centre) at a ZANU-PF rally in Bulawayo. Aaron Ufumeli/EPA

Scene is set for interesting contest in Zimbabwe's upcoming poll

Gift Mwonzora, Rhodes University

The world waits to see if Zimbabwe will pass the democracy test as it holds its first election after Robert Mugabe next month.

Politics + Society

Can Zimbabwe finally ditch a history of violence and media repression?

Brooks Marmon, University of Edinburgh

The credibility of Zimbabwe's elections will depend on issues like political violence and media freedom.

After Mugabe: why the role of Zimbabwe's army can't be trusted

Yvonne Rowa, University of Adelaide

By intervening in Zimbabwe's politics the military could plunge the country into a prolonged period of uncertainty. Could President Emmerson Mnangagwa be its saviour?

Zimbabwe's first Mugabe-free election: Mnangagwa promises Western cash, but little else

Stephen Chan, SOAS, University of London

As Emmerson Mnangagwa blames Grace Mugabe for a failed bombing at a rally, his rivals try to find a way to close the gap.

Stability in southern Africa hinges on how leaders gain and lose power

Chris Saunders, University of Cape Town

Too often developments in one country are seen in isolation. In southern Africa events in one affect others in the region.