On the basis of the Group’s initial findings and observations, the chairperson issued a Preliminary Statement on 2 August 2018 (see Annex IV). Additionally, following the outbreak of violence in Harare on 1 August 2018, the chairperson and the Heads of other international election observation missions issued a joint statement on 2 August. The statement called for calm and restraint, and condemned the use of excessive force by the security forces to quell protests (see Annex V) The Group’s Final Report was completed in Harare on 6 August prior to its departure. 3