SADC Commends Zimbabwe Electoral Preparations

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, (left) along with Hifikipunye Pohamba of Namibia and Kikwete of Tanzania. The SADC national liberation parties seek to re-ignite fraternal relations., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Sadc commends Zim poll preperations

Monday, 22 July 2013 00:38

Peter Matambanadzo Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

Sadc has commended the Government, political parties and leaders in Zimbabwe for their commitment to ensuring that the forthcoming harmonised elections on July 31 are held peacefully.

In a statement after the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation summit held in Pretoria, South Africa at the weekend, Sadc said this would make the elections credible.

“On the Republic of Zimbabwe, the summit was pleased to note that all the political parties have committed themselves to ensuring that the forthcoming elections are held in a peaceful environment,” Sadc said in a communique released after the meeting.

“The summit encouraged the Government, all political parties and leaders to continue with these commendable efforts, which will help realise credible elections.”

The summit chaired by Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete who is also the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation chairperson commended the Government for extending an invitation to Sadc member States to deploy election observers and the manner in which the observer mission has been received in Zimbabwe.

Sadc officially launched its election observer mission last week and about 442 Sadc observers are already deployed in the country to observe the elections.

The Troika commended South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma, who is also the Sadc facilitator in Zimbabwe, for his tireless efforts in ensuring that political stakeholders hold successful elections.

Govt happy with election preparations
The summit noted the problems that arose during the special vote on July 14 and 15 and commended ZEC for taking these up as challenges to be overcome on July 31.
Political parties were urged to co-operate with ZEC as fully as possible to ensure that it was able to overcome the challenges.

During the summit, Sadc also considered the political and security situation in the region, in particular the latest development in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar.

On the DRC, the summit noted the progress made towards the deployment of the Sadc Intervention Brigade in eastern DRC and commended other member States for the support rendered in ensuring stability in the country.

“The Summit further noted the deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern DRC following the recent clashes and called on the international community and all partners to assist the general population which has suffered from this conflict,” the communique read.

Sadc commended former President of Mozambique and Sadc mediator on Madagascar crisis, Cde Joaquim Chissano and the International Contact Group for their efforts in ensuring the country is brought back to constitutional normalcy.

The summit was attended by Mozambique President Armando Guebuza, President Zuma, President Kikwete, Namibia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwa as well as Sadc executive secretary Dr Tomaz Augusto Salomao.