• The EU has halted funding for ZEC operations
• This decision comes in response to a chaotic electoral process
• Relations between Zimbabwe and the Western countries have experienced additional strain

Harare- The European Union has discontinued its financial assistance of US$5 million to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the electoral body of the country, in the aftermath of the contested 2023 general elections.

The recently held elections  on the 23^rd and 24^th of August marked the second time the European Union was allowed to observe the process, following their ban by the Robert Mugabe administration in 2002.

The elections in Zimbabwe were historically significant, as they encountered substantial rejection, including from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), a sister body. Notably, these elections were also notable for lasting two days, mainly due to a shortage of adequate ballot papers in regions where the main opposition party had considerable support.

In addition, it is worth noting that both the electorate and political parties did not have timely access to the voters' roll, which was in direct violation of the highest law of the land. This further compounded the challenges experienced throughout the electoral process.

Government went as far as raiding ZESN, the largest observer group whose programs are partially funded by the EU. ZESN was unjustly prevented from conducting a parallel voter tabulation exercise, despite being encouraged to do so by the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Priscilla Chiguma. This interference raises concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.

Against this background in a press release dated 19 September 2023, the Union said, “The European Union (EU) has formally communicated its intention to suspend its 5 million USD financial support for the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC) to both the Ministry of Finance and Investment Promotion and ZEC.

“The project supporting ZEC, which is managed by UNDP and scheduled to run until December 2024, is currently under scrutiny due to concerns raised by several international Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs) regarding the independence and transparency of ZEC during the 2023 harmonised elections.”

Multiple Electoral Observation Missions (EOMs), including the EU EOM, have issued preliminary statements expressing concerns about the management of the electoral process by ZEC.

 These concerns primarily revolved around the independence and transparency of ZEC. The European Union, along with other donors, supports a project managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) that aims to enhance ZEC's institutional and technical capabilities in order to fulfil its constitutional mandate. The EU's contribution is part of this broader effort to strengthen ZEC's capacity in conducting free and fair elections.

“In response to these concerns and in adherence to responsible management of EU development cooperation funds, the EU has initiated a procedure to suspend its contribution to this project.”

The suspension of aid from the European Union comes at a delicate time when Zimbabwe has been engaging with the EU to address its significant debt of around US$18 billion. This development signifies a further strain in relations between Zimbabwe and the Western countries, which were previously believed to be improving. The situation now raises concerns that relations may regress to a state reminiscent of the Mugabe era, characterized by challenging diplomatic ties.

This development may create a challenging atmosphere for engagement and cooperation with Western nations. However, it is worth noting that Zimbabwe has developed close ties with China, which has become a key partner for the country. The focus on China as a significant international ally may intensify in light of strained relations with the West.

However, China's approach to international relations often prioritizes economic interests and stability over human rights concerns. China has been known to maintain close relationships with countries regardless of their human rights records, as long as it serves its own interests. This approach has drawn criticism from those who argue that it reinforces and enables human rights abuses in partner countries

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the majority of China's projects in Zimbabwe have been smaller in scale, lacking significant mega developments. Despite the implementation of the "Look East" policy, which aimed to enhance economic cooperation with Asian countries, including China, Zimbabwe has encountered difficulties in identifying prominent achievements in areas such as construction and the mining industry attributable to the Chinese Republic.

Therefore, Chinese relations in Zimbabwe are often perceived as prioritizing the interests of the elite rather than benefiting the broader population. This perception suggests that compared to Western relations, which are believed to have more widespread benefits, Chinese engagements tend to concentrate advantages among a select few. This interpretation raises concerns about the extent to which Chinese relations contribute to inclusive and equitable development in Zimbabwe.

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