Responding to questions in the House of Lords last Thursday on what measures the UK was taking to assist the government of Zimbabwe to expedite the processes enabling free and fair elections under the new constitution, Howell said the UK has
contributed to UN funding of the constitutional review process, with a referendum due to be held in the summer of this year.
The UK minister said his government was working with international partners, particularly the Southern African Development Community to ensure that elections, when held, will not see a repeat of the violence of 2008.
He said: “Mr Mugabe seems to be pressing for early elections, but at the same time there is very clear evidence of intimidation and violence rising again,” Howell said. “We strongly believe that the constitutional process must be carried right through, with the support of SADC, with the new commissions being formed and a system being created in which elections can take place. Those, more properly, should be later on.”
No date for elections has been set but Mugabe has publicly said they must be held this year, with or without a new constitution. Rising reports of political violence blamed on Zanu (PF) supporters suggest a vote is imminent either at the end of this year or early next year. Mugabes party has relied on violence to win past elections.
Post published in: Politics