PRETORIA Catholic Bishops from throughout SADC and beyond meeting here strongly believe that holding elections at this stage would be dangerously premature for Zimbabwe.
They are concerned that the nation is in the grip of extreme fear and have said elections must not be held until reforms have been made.
Polarization is still evident; there are increasing signs of intimidation and/ or violence as the election campaign builds up, said the bishops of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Sao Tome e Principe, South Africa and Zimbabwe in a statement this week.
We acknowledge the important role played by SADC in facilitating the Global Political Agreement (GPA) which led directly to the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU). This was the fruit of a true African solidarity – something to be celebrated and a cause for great hope in the region. It promised a new dawn for Zimbabwe, says the statement.
However, two years later, we are concerned at the lack of meaningful progress: not all aspects of the GPA have been fulfilled within the agreed timeframe. Despite some improvements in the country we note that the ordinary citizens of Zimbabwe continue to suffer from, amongst other things: extreme poverty; high levels of unemployment; inadequate health and education services; lack of investment and confidence in the economy of the country. This is all the more tragic and indeed a matter of grave injustice when we consider the wealth of the country with respect both to its human and its material resources.
The bishops said should those in power choose to proceed with elections in 2011, these must be held in accordance with SADCs Guidelines for Elections.
The positive gains achieved by the intervention of SADC, including the establishment of the GNU, simply cannot be allowed to go to waste, they said.
This southern African situation cries out for a solution that respects human dignity and social justice. This is our plea: that SADC be the agent that brings about this urgently needed recovery of Zimbabwe. We call upon SADC to spearhead the task of restoring Zimbabwe to its rightful and proud place in the international community.
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