UK government wishy-washy posturing on elections is helping ED escape 'illegitimate' condemnation

The people of Zimbabwe and all level headed people out there will be outraged if the EU and the other international elections observers election observers come out with a wishy-washy report comparable to the statement from UK Minister of State for Africa, the Right Honourable Harriett Baldwin.

"The UK was encouraged that Zimbabweans turned out in record numbers to vote in the elections on 30 July, and particularly the increase in first-time voters, including many young, urban Zimbabweans, who found themselves excluded from previous electoral rolls," said Minister Baldwin.

"While polling day passed off peacefully, a number of concerns have been raised by observer missions, particularly about the pre-election environment, the role of state media, and the use of state resources. There is much to be done to build confidence in Zimbabwe's electoral process.

"The UK remains deeply concerned by the violence following the elections and the disproportionate response from the security forces. We have urged all parties to work together to ensure calm. It is vital that any appeals against the results or the process are handled swiftly and impartially. All candidates have a responsibility to ensure their supporters act with restraint and avoid violence, while any challenges to the results are resolved."

Sorry but that is simply not good enough! The people of Zimbabwe are expecting the British government and the international elections observers to answer the question: where these elections free, fair and credible?

Compared to Zimbabwe's past elections these elections were free of the usual scourge of blatant intimidation, beatings, rape and even murders. There is no disputing that having an election process that is free of all manner of violence is important for free, fair and credible elections. Still there is no disputing that this is not the only requirement.

The Right Honourable Minister Baldwin, does not need anyone to remind her that President Mnangagwa will cherry pick from her statement and focus on what she was "encouraged" with and forget all she was "concerned" about! It is therefore imperative that the Minister states categorically whether what she was concerned about was serious enough to render these election NOT free, fair and credible.

Would Minister Baldwin or any other British government official or private citizen judge British elections in which there is no free media; no verified voters' roll; the government of the day robbed the nation blind to bankroll its vote-rigging and vote-buying schemes; etc.; etc. free, fair and credible? Not even one of you would ever do that for the simple reason that doing so would let the genie out of the bottle. It will cause untold human suffering and cost hundreds of thousands of lives to put the little green man back in the bottle.

Just because Zanu PF and opposition politicians do not know what constitute free, fair and credible elections this does not mean the rest of the people do not. Millions of ordinary Zimbabweans KNOW these elections were flawed and illegal. To say otherwise, specially by those who would never ever allow such an outrage in their own country, is extremely patronising, to say the least.

It is important to note that none of the foreign investors and lenders, whose money Zimbabwe needs to kick-start, the country's collapsed economy are going to continue to shy away from investing in the country. The British government can afford to be patronising and turn a blind eye to these rigged elections. No investor will risk their money investing in a country so unstable the only way to achieve regime change is by military coup, violent street protests or some such violent act!

By failing to hold free, fair and credible elections; President Mnangagwa has just confirmed that Zimbabwe is still a pariah state ruled by vote-rigging thugs. Investors do not do business with thugs!

"We will continue to work with the Government and the Zimbabwean people to support democracy and good governance, help with the country's development, and promote regional security and prosperity. The UK remains a close partner of the Zimbabwean people in their quest for a better future," concluded Minister Baldwin.

With all due respect Minister Baldwin, the British government is NOT supporting democracy and good governance by helping Zanu PF get away with rigged elections! By failing to condemn these rigged elections decisively the British are giving President Mnangagwa a bolt hole to escape his regime being rightly judged "illegitimate".