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More election observers arrive
23 Jul 2013 at 19:19hrs | Views
AU Commissioner, Dr Aisha Abudullai
Two prominent Africans, Dr Aisha Abudullai of the African Union (AU) Commission and Mr Charles Nqakula of the SADC facilitation technical team have arrived in Harare ahead of the harmonised elections set for Wednesday next week.
Speaking on arrival, Dr Abudullai said the AU is in the country until the elections are over, adding that it is the tradition of the AU to be in its member states to observe elections.
"The African Union has the mandate to observe elections we have here and all the 54 member states and we have to do just that.
"Our long term observers have been here since the 15th of June and this election is very important for us as AU because for us our quality of observation has improved and we will do just that," Dr Aisha Abdullah said.
Commenting on claims that Zimbabwe is a securitised state, Mr Nqakula said the AU is satisfied with the explanation given by the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last week.
He said Zimbabwe has generated so much interest because it is an important African country.
Mr Nqakula is the leader of the three member facilitation team appointed by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, and his counterpart, Mark Maharaj arrived in the country on Monday, while Lindiwe Zulu is expected in the country soon.
Asked about Zulu's utterances, Mr Nqakula said it is an issue between the two presidents.
Speaking on arrival, Dr Abudullai said the AU is in the country until the elections are over, adding that it is the tradition of the AU to be in its member states to observe elections.
"The African Union has the mandate to observe elections we have here and all the 54 member states and we have to do just that.
"Our long term observers have been here since the 15th of June and this election is very important for us as AU because for us our quality of observation has improved and we will do just that," Dr Aisha Abdullah said.
He said Zimbabwe has generated so much interest because it is an important African country.
Mr Nqakula is the leader of the three member facilitation team appointed by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, and his counterpart, Mark Maharaj arrived in the country on Monday, while Lindiwe Zulu is expected in the country soon.
Asked about Zulu's utterances, Mr Nqakula said it is an issue between the two presidents.
Source - zbc
