SADC Summit Maputo: SADC Must Stand Firm on Zimbabwe: CSOs

Click here to download CSOs-Joint-Petition-SADC-June12.pdf

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Executive Director Mr. McDonald Lewanika addressed members of the media on the Civil Society position, which is premised on the need for SADC to remain resolutely committed to the conduct of a free and fair election in Zimbabwe.

The CSO position is articulated in a petition signed by at least 65 Civil Society Organizations operating in Zimbabwe. The petition, articulating our demands for a non-violent, free, fair, credible and legitimate election in Zimbabwe was earlier presented to the GPA Principals through Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirayi who received the copies for his office and his co-Principals at a Crisis Coalition organized CSO-OPM interface this past Wednesday in Harare. The petition was also handed to the SADC facilitation team on Zimbabwe as well as the Mozambique Ministry of Foreign Affairs for onward transmission to their Presidents Offices. Mozambique currently chairs the SADC and will hand over the Chairperson-ship to Malawi in two months time.

" After 4 years of commitment and tirelessly accompanying the people of Zimbabwe in their quest for democratic reforms, I do not think that SADC is ready for another June 27 2008 sham election", said Lewanika. "We really appreciate the role SADC has played in mediating the crisis in our country and pin our hopes on them remaining on the side of the people of Zimbabwe", added Lewanika.

Lewanika reiterated the CSOs position: that SADC must remain true to its commitment to the conduct of "free, fair, and peaceful" democratic elections in Zimbabwe based on the guidelines they (SADC) set for their member states as contained in the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, and that it will not recognize the legitimacy of any election result that is materially tainted by violence, intimidation, or obstruction or manipulation of the processes of registration and voting.

Earlier yesterday, CSO heads of Coalitions and Networks meeting in Harare (14/06/13) adopted an unwavering stance on the most recent developments as they declared: that "the people of Zimbabwe feel betrayed, dismayed and abused by the unilateralism we have been subjected to over the past two days. We believe such blatant unilateralism can completely destroy public confidence in national processes and consequently cause instability in Zimbabwe and the region at large. In view of the recent developments, we are convinced that it is time for SADC to show solidarity, leadership and statesmanship for the sake of the people of Zimbabwe and the Southern Africa region. We are pleading with SADC not to allow our political leaders to steal the opportunity for reform and conducive environment from the people through unwarranted decree. We reiterate our long standing position and concerns as espoused in the petition herein attached.