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SADC ambassadors congratulate Mnangagwa for holding 'free, fair and very peaceful' elections
23 Nov 2023 at 00:45hrs | Views
Nine ambassadors accredited to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) in Zimbabwe extended congratulations to President Emmerson Mnangagwa for overseeing peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections in August. Led by Angolan Ambassador Agostinho da Silva Tavares, the ambassadors, representing Malawi, Angola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe, paid a courtesy call on President Mnangagwa at the State House.
Ambassador Tavares expressed gratitude for the President's reception and highlighted the joint support of SADC countries for Zimbabwe, emphasizing the nation's integral role within the SADC community. He commended Zimbabwe for conducting a peaceful, fair, and transparent election.
President Mnangagwa, incoming SADC chair, acknowledged the unity among SADC countries, built on historical, cultural, and familial ties. He thanked the ambassadors for their courtesy call and congratulatory remarks on Zimbabwe's 2023 harmonized general elections, emphasizing the importance of maintaining shared peace, stability, and socio-economic development.
In the recent elections, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission declared President Mnangagwa the winner with 52.6%, while opposition leader Nelson Chamisa received 44%. Despite the opposition's non-acceptance of the results, they did not challenge the outcome in local courts.
While SADC's Election Observation Mission stated that the election did not meet international standards, the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission, in its final report, also noted flaws in the election. The Zimbabwean government criticized both reports, considering them biased and aimed at tarnishing the country's image. Information Minister Jenfan Muswere labeled the EU EOM's final report as "biased and misleading."
Ambassador Tavares expressed gratitude for the President's reception and highlighted the joint support of SADC countries for Zimbabwe, emphasizing the nation's integral role within the SADC community. He commended Zimbabwe for conducting a peaceful, fair, and transparent election.
In the recent elections, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission declared President Mnangagwa the winner with 52.6%, while opposition leader Nelson Chamisa received 44%. Despite the opposition's non-acceptance of the results, they did not challenge the outcome in local courts.
While SADC's Election Observation Mission stated that the election did not meet international standards, the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission, in its final report, also noted flaws in the election. The Zimbabwean government criticized both reports, considering them biased and aimed at tarnishing the country's image. Information Minister Jenfan Muswere labeled the EU EOM's final report as "biased and misleading."
Source - newzimbabwe
