Karen Bass Observes Zimbabwe Elections

Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, is in Zimbabwe to observe the African country’s election which has been marred by a growing number of reports of voter intimidation and threats of violence. This will be the first election since long-serving ruler Robert Mugabe was forced to resign in November. A survey published last week predicted a tight race between his successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) have also identified former Liberian leader Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to join Bass on the ground. “I am delighted to be part of the leadership of this joint IRI-NDI international election observation mission. We hope our presence will contribute to more credible elections,” Bass said. The election will take place on Monday, July 30th. More here.