“We are appealing for African Union intervention because the MDC leadership has lost faith in the SADC mediation, particularly its appointed mediator, President Thabo Mbeki. If peace in Zimbabwe is not found then SADC leaders and their mediator, President Thabo Mbeki, must take responsibility for that.
Reports that Arthur Mutambara, the leader of the smaller of the factions of the MDC, has been arrested for saying that Robert Mugabe is betraying the nations independence and coercing voters through violence and vote rigging, highlight the importance for African Union intervention, as SADC has failed the people of Zimbabwe. We believe what Mutambara said is correct. We also believe that in the light of the overwhelming evidence of torture of members of the opposition, his allegations that ZANU-PF militia are actively involved in coercing people, are true. The ACDP calls for this persecution of members of the opposition to stop immediately.
Reports are coming out of Zimbabwe that in the western provinces of Matabeleland, Mugabe’s war veteran militia are extorting “repentance fees” from MDC supporters for not having voted for Mugabe. The reports quote victims as saying that they are forced to pay in money, household goods and even chickens and goats to escape torture and assault.
These are serious allegations that we call on the African Union to investigate urgently.
The ACDP also wants AU leadership to investigate reports that police in north-western Zimbabwe, refused to let Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the larger faction of the MDC, to hold campaign rallies in Victoria Falls and Hwange. The police allegedly said they can have rallies after June 27th which is the date for the Presidential run-off vote.
If opposition parties are not allowed to campaign freely then the runoff will be a sham and the results will not reflect the democratic choice of the people.
The ACDP hopes that if the African Union intervenes then normality will be restored in Zimbabwe.
Post published in: News