A recent report by the United States embassy showed that Zimbabwe’s human rights situation remains dire, with numerous factors that contributed to a flawed election process in 2018 still in play ahead of this year’s elections.

THE United Nations (UN) has warned President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to ensure the country holds non-violent polls this year saying conflicts before, during and after elections tend to have devastating consequences.

Zimbabwe is expected to hold its general elections in August and Mnangagwa is yet to proclaim the exact election date.

Speaking at the joint steering committee meeting of the 2022-26 Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Co-operation Framework in Harare yesterday, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator Edward Kallon said conflict reverses developmental gains achieved by any country.

“Here in Zimbabwe, in line with this commitment and National Development Strategy 1 priorities, the UN country team remains committed to strengthening governance and institutional capacities to build, and sustain peace, promote transparent and accountable institutions, and advance human rights and the rule of law,” Kallon said.

“We must work together to endear social cohesion to sustain peace including before, during and after the 2023 elections. The costs of conflicts are high and further reverse development gains achieved.”

A recent report by the United States embassy showed that Zimbabwe’s human rights situation remains dire, with numerous factors that contributed to a flawed election process in 2018 still in play ahead of this year’s elections.