Zimbabwe

Although leaders may have shaken hands, the pressing reality for Zimbabweans today, four months down the line from the 29 March harmonised polls, is coping with the economic crisis. The optimism for better lives  - characterised by more food, medicines, clean water, banks notes, transport and all other basic necessities - has all but dissipated.

We, civil society organizations acting on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe, today reassert our commitment to the struggle for a transition to democracy. In doing so, we stand firmly by the principles of democratic constitutionalism that are embodied in the People’s Charter, which represent the birthright of every Zimbabwean. 

Intense debate on the pros and cons of a government of national unity cum- transitional arrangement cum- negotiated settlement between Zanu PF and the MDC has now taken centre stage in Zimbabwe’s socio-economic and political discourse in the aftermath of the 27 June 2008 presidential election runoff.

The Movement for Democratic Change acknowledges the concern about the Zimbabwe crisis expressed in the resolution adopted at the 11th Ordinary Session of the African Union General Assembly. The MDC would like to thank those African leaders who have joined the global chorus by standing on the side of the Zimbabwean people and advocating that their voices be heard.

What is happening today is not an election. It is an exercise in mass intimidation with people all over the country being forced to vote.

Bulawayo Agenda is compiling Election Updates from reports and alerts from its network of contacts located in areas served by its chapters monitoring the 27 June run-off and by-elections.

The Southern African Legal Assistance Network (SALAN) welcomes the stance taken by the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s call for the postponement of the Zimbabwean Presidential run-off elections scheduled for Friday 27th June 2008, which have been characterized by widespread violence, forcing MDC Presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai to announce his withdrawal from the race.

The Southern African Legal Assistance Network (SALAN) welcomes the stance taken by the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s call for the postponement of the Zimbabwean Presidential run-off elections scheduled for Friday 27th June 2008, which have been characterized by widespread violence, forcing MDC Presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai to announce his withdrawal from the race.

 "it probably would not have been free and fair"

For me the most provocative aspect of Robert Mugabe’s presidential run-off campaign this time around is the abuse of word empowerment and its simultaneousy use of women -- particularly in adverts that are inserted in mainly the State media. I am particularly revolted by an advert in support of Robert Mugabe’s ‘empowerment’ policy or stance (whatever you may call it) inserted by a group who I am hearing of for the first time, called the Young Women Movement (YWM).

As Zimbabwe gears up for the presidential runoff on June 27 2008, cases of political violence have been increasing, particularly against members of the opposition party, the MDC. The MDC's president, Morgan Tsvangirai, has also been prevented from holding campaign rallies by the police force. The question that remains is whether the presidential runoff is going to be free and fair, given the already uneven ground for preparation.