UNDP committed to the success of Zimbabwe elections

The United Nations Development Programme is committed to the success of this election as we are committed to the economic recovery of Zimbabwe, a senior official has said.

Addressing journalists soon after meeting Zimbabwe's foreign affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo, UNDP administrator and UN development group vice chair Achim Steiner said they "discussed UNDP's ongoing programmes in Zimbabwe and in particular the commitment of the United Nations and UNDP to the overarching objectives.

"The president has made central to his commitment to the people of Zimbabwe for free, fair and transparent elections and therefore we are very proud and pleased to part of the efforts to support the ZEC to not only on the technical side but also on the public outreach and voter education and many of the elements that are essential to make this a successful election be part of our cooperation."

Added Steiner; "We are very much committed to the success of this election as we are committed to the economic recovery of Zimbabwe as a nation in terms of its micro economic indicators but also in the context of sustainable development of inclusiveness of remembering that the majority Zimbos live in the rural areas and not in the cities."

UNDP, according to Steiner, is committed to helping Zimbabwe in "finding ways that she can leverage both domestic and international financing, public and private to invest to the benefit of the majority of citizens."

"The sustainable development goals, the 20130 agenda is an agenda that Zimbabwe and other 192 nations have signed two and half years ago and have become a fabric of helping national development process succeed," he said.

Minister Moyo reaffirmed Zimbabwe's commitment to free and fair elections adding that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is known for preaching peace.

"His Excellency has committed himself to deliver credible, transparent, and a very fair and violent free election. This is within the context that he is going to be meeting all the competing parties so that there can be a dialogue of commitment to the real ethics of modern politics and not what is inappropriate for the benefit of our people to decide their own leaders.
 
He said Zimbabwe, "as guaranteed and supported by the UNDP are very clear and determined that we will deliver a credible, free and fair election which should give a clear position to the rest of the world that we must live as a member of the family of nations in the world so that we can develop economically."