Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), who are set to meet in Harare this August, are being urged by an international human rights group to push the Zimbabwean government to stop the military from interfering in the nation’s political and electoral processes.

Human Rights Watch’s Africa advocacy director, Allan Ngari, has expressed concerns over the alarming statements made by the Zimbabwe National Army commander, Lt. General Anselem Sanyatwe. On June 29, 2024, Sanyatwe declared that citizens would be forced to vote and boasted that the ruling party, Zanu PF, would “rule forever.” This declaration follows the general election in August 2023, where Zanu PF did not secure a parliamentary majority, leading to several controversial by-elections aimed at dismissing opposition members.

The actions of the Zimbabwean military have long violated the nation’s constitution, which strictly prohibits security services from engaging in partisan activities or supporting any political party. Despite these legal boundaries, senior security force members continue to flout these rules with no consequences.

Ngari emphasizes the critical need for Zimbabwe’s security forces to adhere to laws that protect the country’s commitment to international human rights standards, ensuring that elections are conducted fairly. He argues that the military’s overt support for the ruling party not only undermines the integrity of elections but also encourages abuses against voters, opposition figures, and civil society groups.

The problem is deeply rooted in Zimbabwe’s history, with elections consistently falling short of regional and international norms due to military involvement. Instances of political violence have marred elections for decades, with significant escalation in 2008 when the military was implicated in widespread atrocities that resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries and displacements.

The 2017 coup that ousted President Robert Mugabe marked a significant increase in the military’s partisan involvement. This has continued, with Lt. General Sanyatwe’s recent statements posing a direct threat to the future of Zimbabwe’s democratic elections.

Ngari calls for immediate action to curb the military’s role in politics, suggesting that officers who breach laws should face disciplinary actions or prosecution. Without these changes, the military’s influence threatens the democratic foundation of electoral processes in Zimbabwe.

As the SADC leaders convene, the global community watches closely, hoping for a commitment to safeguard democratic integrity and enforce the rule of law in Zimbabwe. The meeting in Harare is not just a diplomatic formality but a crucial step towards securing a fair political future for Zimbabweans.