Stop the violence – diplomats urge Harare.

A statement, signed by 22 Western diplomatic missions in the capital Harare, followed a meeting between the foreign diplomats. The envoys said for two years, the GNU has struggled to bring sability to Zimbabwe and pave the way for a democratic transition through credible elections.

“The undersigned are concerened by increasing violence in recent weeks of what appears to be politically motivated intimidation and violence,” said the diplomats. “We recall the impotance of a peaceful process and encourage the government of Zimbabwe and the political parties to respect the spirit and the letter of the global political agreement, to fully use mechanisms such as the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee to deter violence and to engage decisively with the South African facilitator, HE President Zuma, to agree on a roadmap that can ensure credible and democratic elections, in accordance with existing SADC princples and guidelines governing democratic elections.”

The statement was signed by head of missions for Australia, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, European Union, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain and Netherlands, United States of America, Finaland and Poland. Zimbabwe was supposed to hold a referendum asking voters whether or not to accept the latest version of the country’s constitution before going for polls.

Many people are upset with the way Zanu PF has handled the situation, accusing the party of causing violence during the outreach and coaching peope what to say.

In recent weeks, rival factions in the GNU have been attacking one another. The diplomats said they were displeased with the latest developments, and called for the security forces to act ethically. “Considering the role the security forces play, the Attorney General and the judiciary play with regard to the fundamental freedoms, we appeal to them to contribute to a positive environment and to discharge their duties in an impartial and non political way,” the diplomats said. There are concerns that the police are turning a blind eye to the recent spate of political violence perpetrated by youths and opportunists affiliated with elements of Zau PF. The southern African nation is due to hold a referendum on a proposed new constitution later this year in terms of theGPA that set up a coalition government between Tsvangirai and Mugabe two years ago after disputed elections.

Mugabe intends to abandon talks over the new constitution and call elections in June. There has been an escalation of efforts to frustrate the MDC into quitting, with the Speaker dethroned, an MDC minister arrested and legislators languishing in prison.