CCC leader and former loyalist leads push to oust Zimbabwe's president in August

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa will face a former ruling party stalwart who was exiled after a coup six years ago in the country’s general election set for August 23, 2023.

Saviour Kasukuwere, a former Zanu PF high-ranking official and loyalist of the late Robert Mugabe, successfully registered to run for president on Wednesday alongside President Mnangagwa and the country’s main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was yet to announce the final list of confirmed candidates by press time, but the three are considered to be the front-runners in the hugely anticipated polls.

Zimbabweans will also be voting for members of the 350-seat Parliament and nearly 2,000 local council positions on the same date.

President Mnangagwa, 80, will be seeking what would be his final term in office and is again expected to face a serious challenge from Mr. Chamisa, a lawyer and pastor who leads the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).