The statement came after Mugabe met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at the food summit in the Italian capital, Rome.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), however, has dismissed Mugabe’s gesture, saying Zanu (PF) would use the UN envoy’s presence as a propaganda tool to legitimise Mugabe’s 28-year rule.
I think one of the important things that Mugabe has wanted to come out of this election was for him to be able to get legitimacy, said Glen Mpani, Regional Co-ordinator for the transitional justice programme of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in Cape Town.
I think for him to request a high level delegation is more or less like a face-saver to
say I am open to you come in to assist me’.
Mpani said the run-off might not be free and fair. despite government promises.
With 23 days left to the election, with the country cordoned off, blocking opposition leaders from campaigning, I don’t think there is anything much that the delegation can do because the damage has already been done, he said.
Mpani concurred that the presence of any United Nations official ahead of the run-off would be a political tool for Zanu (PF).
Obviously, the observers are now coming into the country, and as they come in, they (government) are going to stage-manage an environment that is conducive for an election because…for the past weeks, people have been battered, people’s houses have been destroyed and people have been secretly registered. So, the damage has already been done,
Post published in: News