SADC position on Zimbabwe commendable

The MDC-T said it hails SADC's position that Zimbabwe must proceed with the implementation of the outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement and the Roadmap to free and fair Elections.

This flies in the face of Zanu-PF's crusade aimed at holding the plebiscite this year.

In its communiqué at the end of the Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in Luanda, Angola on 1 June 2012, the regional bloc urged the parties to the GPA, assisted by South African President and SADC Facilitator Jacob Zuma, to develop an implementation mechanism and to set out time frames for the full implementation of the Roadmap to Elections.
 
The MDC commends SADC's refusal to bow down to Zanu-PF's demands for an election this year, with or without a new constitution, a clear sign of high professional integrity on the part of the grouping. What makes sense is that elections should be process driven and judging from the time it will take to go through all the milestones in the roadmap, realistic dates should be between July and September 2013.

Zanu-PF had prior to the summit sent envoys to SADC states canvassing for support to be allowed to hold elections under the Lancaster House Constitution. However the ailing party failed to garner the support of the SADC leaders. The writing is on the wall for Robert Mugabe and his party as it is clear that SADC is fed up and will not tolerate any more of his antics and theatrics. His advisors have misread the SADC leaders and therefore continue to mislead him.

What makes SADC's resolution more significant is that it is in tandem with UN Human Rights Commissioner, Navanethem Pillay's statement at the end of her five-day official visit in the country on Africa Day where she urged that conditions for a free and fair election be in place before elections are held.

The MDC has faith in the SADC appointed facilitator and his capacity and capability to guide the country to a free and fair election, the first ever since the formation of the  MDC in 1999.

The roadmap stipulates that the country should uphold human rights, democracy and rule of law, independence of the judiciary and electoral institutions, security sector reform and equal access to state media by all political players.

The party cannot over-emphasise this principle, more so, at a time Mugabe and his party have escalated harassment and intimidation of members of the MDC.

The MDC steadfastly maintains its election preparedness but given the violent nature of Zanu-PF, the People's Party of Excellence will not accept an election that is not free and fair.

We encourage other regional and continental bodies to emulate SADC's unwavering support aimed at bringing democracy and real change in Zimbabwe.

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