The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is taking a long time to release the Presidential results and this is creating a sense of despondency around many in the country. We are getting worried messages from Zimbabweans and we are seeing and hearing people beginning to feel filled with despair.
We have won, so why has this not been announced?
Zimbabwe… this is Robert Mugabe we are dealing with, and his party is Zanu (PF).
Did we really expect that after our victory that Robert Mugabe would step forward like a gentleman and congratulate Morgan Tsvangirai before handing over power?
This is not what Robert Mugabe will do: he will struggle to the end; that is in his nature. We need to set aside unrealistic expectations, and we must expect that we will witness all sorts of efforts from Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF) to silence the will of the people.
None of this changes the fact that the majority of people in our country voted for change and nor does it change the fact that we have won. Say no to despair!
In this uncertain period we must remember that dictators thrive on despair.
Mugabe and Zanu (PF) know that the longer ZEC delays with announcing the winner, the more likely it will be that people in our country will start to feel despondent. They know that people who are depressed and struggling with despair also find it hard to stand strong and to confront challenges.
The road to democracy is not a 100m sprint: it’s a marathon. We are at that stage of the race where our limbs are tired and our muscles are aching and our body is telling us to slow down and maybe even give up. But this is the stage where our minds and our hearts have to take over and we need to keep focussed and we need to stay strong and committed to seeing our will, loudly expressed through our votes on March 29th, come to fruit.
We must resist the impulse to be down-hearted and remember a few truths.
Truth 1
For the first time in many years, it is us, the forces of democracy and freedom and of peace and justice, who have established the rules of the game. As a nation, with one clear voice, we voted for change. Those scores were placed on the doors for all of us to see with our own eyes. We know the results because we saw them.
Truth 2
For the first time in their 28 years of history, Zanu (PF) is obviously and publically on the back foot. They are struggling to find a way to change the incontrovertible reality that they are finished. We are watching them respond to the simple truth that the people said ‘no more’.
Truth 3
If Mugabe had been victorious, the results would have been released a long time ago. We would have seen the inauguration ceremony already, and we would have seen the Heads of State of certain nations flying in to Zimbabwe to eat, drink and be merry at Mugabe’s party. This has not happened; it has not happened, because Mugabe is not victorious and he knows it.
Truth 4
Zimbabweans must note that a request for a recount of Presidential ballots before results are announced is unprocedural and premature. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) have already issued a statement pointing out that this is wrong.
Truth 5
Robert Mugabe’s effort to subvert the electoral process must be seen for what it is: an attempt for him to avoid the humiliation of being publically declared the loser.
Truth 6
Mugabe is not fighting for victory here; he is fighting for a run-off. His fight now is for one last chance to try and steal a victory in a run-off. He knows he has been defeated, and so do we.
Truth 7
What many Zimbabweans don’t realise because they are cut off from communication with the rest of the world, is that the world is watching. Ours is no longer a typical African story of misery and failure. It’s an incredible achievement, and almost a fairytale story of how the dignity and spirit of peace and justice can dominate the forces of evil. We did that, and the world is watching with barely suppressed excitement. The messages we are getting from outsiders around the world is that the dignity of the Zimbabwean people has impressed and moved those who are following our story.
With all its heart, the international community wants to see us victorious; they are cheering for us from the sidelines and praying for us everywhere. It may not feel like it, but we are not alone.
We hereby call for all democratic forces in the country to publically stand strong together, to send a clear message to the people of Zimbabwe that we are all united in our fight for democracy. Â
Post published in: News