Sen. Jeff Flake in Zimbabwe as official observer of historic elections

PHOENIX — U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona was in Zimbabwe on Monday to serve as an official observer of the country’s historic elections.

“I have watched eager Zimbabweans line up across dozens of rural villages to cast their votes,” Flake said in a statement. “Excitement and hope is still in the air.”

The elections were the country’s first since Robert Mugabe stepped down last year, ending a 37-year presidential reign.

Flake, a Republican, visited Zimbabwe earlier this year with other members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. While there, he met with Mugabe’s successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and urged him to ensure that future elections were credible.

“In stark contrast to previous meetings with Zimbabwe’s long-serving strong man, Robert Mugabe, that meeting was substantive, hopeful and forward-looking,” Flake said.

“President Mnangagwa emphasized the new government’s commitment to transparency and universally accepted standards for free and fair elections.”

Mnangagwa agreed to election monitoring by regional and international institutions.

Sunset this evening in rural Zimbabwe. Tomorrow, election day, marks a new day for this beautiful country. pic.twitter.com/rFNRCf1llw

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) July 29, 2018

The polls have closed, and results were expected within five days.

“As the ballots are counted and the election results are determined, I urge the Zimbabwean government to remain committed to peaceful, fair, and democratic reform,” Flake said.

Millions voted, turnout was high and the day was free of the violence that marked previous elections.

Visited nearly a dozen polling places today in a very rural part of Zimbabwe. Much excitement everywhere. Polls close in less than two hours. pic.twitter.com/jhOQDMQWmE

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) July 30, 2018

A credible vote was key to lifting international sanctions and attracting foreign investment to revive Zimbabwe’s shattered economy.

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa was the 75-year-old Mnangagwa’s main contender for the presidency.

The 40-year-old Chamisa has called the election a choice between Zimbabwe’s past and future.

Mugabe, who stepped down in November under military pressure, emerged on Sunday after months of silence to declare that he would not be voting for Mnangagwa, his replacement in the ruling party he long controlled.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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