A free and fair poll was vital to dispel pessimism among the international community on issues of democracy, human rights and political intolerance, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Elton Mangoma, told The Zimbabwean.
Mangoma was part of a delegation that held a meeting with British parliamentarians on Tuesday aimed at finding ways of restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries. The meeting was organised by “Friends of Zimbabwe”, a group of donor nations including Japan, Australia, the U.S.A, Canada, the European Union, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The Zimbabwean delegation included Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa and the Minister of Regional Integration, Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga.
Mangoma said Britain indicated a willingness to engage with Zimbabwe’s next government, but on condition the elections were held in a credible manner. He said Britain and other European countries had developed a wait and see attitude, with the forthcoming elections being a major litmus test.
“We also agreed that SADC should be supported to carry out its role of guarantor of the Global Political Agreement,” said Mangoma.
Britain has indicated that they are willing to send observers for the forthcoming polls but Zanu (PF) is vehemently opposed to this saying the west has sinister motives, as they imposed “sanctions” on Zimbabwe.
“I do not want to speculate. Britain has always said they are willing to send observers but as you know there are two positions with Zanu (PF) saying no while we are saying that we want these elections to be free and fair and as such everybody should be invited,” said Mangoma.
Mangoma bemoaned that there were some elements working against the country’s efforts to re-engage with the international community, and the recent crackdown on civil society was sending the wrong message ahead of elections.
The visit took place against the backdrop of the arrest of staff from the Prime Minister’s office. “We think there are people who want to make sure there is no re-engagement with Britain and other European countries. We wonder what it is that they would like to achieve,” said Mangoma.
Post published in: News