This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
On October 1, 2019, Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), boycotted President Emmerson Mnangagwa's state of the nation address.
The MDC's decision was based on their refusal to recognize Mr. Mnangagwa as a legitimate president, a stance they have maintained since his disputed election victory in 2018.
President Mnangagwa, however, urged all opposition parties to join a national dialogue, which he claimed was aimed at addressing the country's economic challenges.
He also asked Zimbabweans to be patient as the government implements reforms, despite the severe cash and fuel shortage, high levels of inflation, and power cuts that are making life extremely difficult for the population.
The MDC's attempts to organize protests against the government's handling of the economy have been repeatedly broken up by the police, and human rights groups have reported the abduction or detention of over 50 opposition activists and trade union leaders in recent times.
