Expectations ahead of Zimbabwe’s July 30 election were somewhat elevated by the absence of Robert Mugabe from the ballot. However, events soon took on a very familiar, and unhappy, tone, with strong indications of vote rigging and with protests violently suppressed. Nevertheless, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission declared Zanu-PF and President Emmerson Mnangagwa the victors. Given the renewed dissonance, it’s increasingly difficult to see how Mnangagwa will sustain his ‘new beginning’ narrative.