Zimbabwe is experiencing heightened food insecurity, affecting 2.7 million people during its lean season, exacerbated by an ongoing drought. The World Food Program highlights Mangwe as one of the most impacted districts.

Russia donated 25,000 tons of grain and 23,000 tons of fertilizer to Zimbabwe to help combat the effects of drought and sanctions. President Emmerson Mnangagwa welcomed the aid, criticizing Western sanctions. The U.S. maintains sanctions on some Zimbabwean figures, including Mnangagwa, while Russia faces sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. Russian ambassador Nikolai Krasilnikov stated the donation would support agricultural production and food security. However, the current drought may limit the fertilizer's effectiveness. Alexander Rusero noted Zimbabwe's clear support for Russia. Zimbabwe observed Russian elections, with electoral commission chair Priscilla Chigumba calling them credible, despite criticism of Zimbabwe's own elections.

Journalists in Zimbabwe were ordered by Vice President Kembo Mohadi's security detail to delete photos and videos of his collapse at a campaign rally. Despite the incident, there has been no official news on Mohadi's condition. Media watchdogs and journalists have condemned the actions as a violation of journalistic rights and the constitution. Government officials, including the First Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, have not commented on the incident but have stated that Zimbabwe respects human rights.

Zimbabwe's Vice President Constantino Chiwenga claimed the country has lost over $150 billion due to sanctions from the EU and the US, which were imposed following allegations of election rigging and human rights abuses. He described the sanctions as detrimental to not only Zimbabwe but the entire Southern Africa region. While Stevenson Dhlamini, an economics professor, agreed with the government's loss estimate, Prosper Chitambara, a senior economist, argued that it's challenging to isolate the effects of sanctions from other factors like corruption. Despite the sanctions, Chiwenga expressed confidence in Zimbabwe's economic resilience. Observers from the Southern African Development Community deemed Zimbabwe's recent general election not credible, diminishing hopes for lifting the sanctions.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa reappointed Kembo Mohadi as vice president, a position he resigned from two years prior amid allegations of improper conduct. Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga were sworn in for a five-year term, with both expressing their commitment to serve. The reappointment drew criticism on social media and from opposition figures like Linda Masarira, who highlighted the lack of female representation. Analyst Gibson Nyikadzino suggested the appointments were strategic for Mnangagwa's final term. Mnangagwa, who won the disputed general election against Nelson Chamisa, is expected to complete his cabinet soon.

Zimbabwe is set to hold general elections on Wednesday, August 23, featuring only one woman among the 11 presidential candidates. Despite an increase in the number of women candidates for parliamentary and council seats, gender activists believe there is still significant progress to be made in achieving gender parity in the nation's political landscape.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe criticized Pastor Evan Mawarire, the initiator of the #ThisFlag protest movement, as 'foreign sponsored' and suggested he leave the country. Mugabe's comments came during a funeral for Charles Utete, a senior government official. Mawarire, who had been arrested and then released following social media support, has been calling for the government to address economic failures and respect human rights. Zimbabwe's economy collapsed in 2009, leading to hyper-inflation and the adoption of a multicurrency system.