News / National
Chamisa linked NGOs pray for transitional govt in Zimbabwe
25 Sep 2023 at 03:39hrs | Views
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have submitted a petition to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU), urging them to advocate for a transitional government to address the Zimbabwean crisis.
The CSOs argue that regional and international bodies have a responsibility to address the Zimbabwean crisis, which was triggered by last month's disputed election, widely criticized by several election observer missions as flawed, not free, fair, or credible.
The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has also rejected the election results, describing them as a "massive fraud," and has launched a diplomatic campaign calling for a fresh election.
Obert Masaraure, spokesperson for Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC), stated that the petition, which has garnered 2,200 signatures so far, marks the initial step toward mobilizing Zimbabweans to collectively demand fresh, free, fair, and credible elections.
Masaraure added, "Beyond the petition, citizens won't be calm, but will engage in concerted mass actions demanding free elections. The SADC region and AU will definitely facilitate a democratic breakthrough in Zimbabwe when they realize that Zimbabweans are not going to accept five more years under an illegitimate (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa regime."
Political analyst and Sapes Trust convener, Ibbo Mandaza, reported that their own petition has garnered 80,000 signatures, expressing optimism for a positive outcome.
In their petition titled "Stand in Solidarity with SADC for its credible assessment of Zimbabwe's Election," CiZC emphasized the need for dialogue and a transitional government. The petition aims to collect 10,000 signatures.
CiZC also expressed solidarity with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who chairs the SADC Troika on Politics, Defense, and Security, and Dr. Nevers Mumba, head of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM) to Zimbabwe's recent election. They commended Sadc for highlighting electoral irregularities and emphasized their unwavering support for the regional body's role in addressing the crisis.
However, some institutions, such as the Institute for Security Studies, have cast doubt on SADC's ability to resolve the Zimbabwean election crisis. SADC clarified its role, emphasizing that it observes elections and makes recommendations but does not conduct elections in its member states.
The CSOs argue that regional and international bodies have a responsibility to address the Zimbabwean crisis, which was triggered by last month's disputed election, widely criticized by several election observer missions as flawed, not free, fair, or credible.
The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has also rejected the election results, describing them as a "massive fraud," and has launched a diplomatic campaign calling for a fresh election.
Obert Masaraure, spokesperson for Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC), stated that the petition, which has garnered 2,200 signatures so far, marks the initial step toward mobilizing Zimbabweans to collectively demand fresh, free, fair, and credible elections.
Masaraure added, "Beyond the petition, citizens won't be calm, but will engage in concerted mass actions demanding free elections. The SADC region and AU will definitely facilitate a democratic breakthrough in Zimbabwe when they realize that Zimbabweans are not going to accept five more years under an illegitimate (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa regime."
Political analyst and Sapes Trust convener, Ibbo Mandaza, reported that their own petition has garnered 80,000 signatures, expressing optimism for a positive outcome.
In their petition titled "Stand in Solidarity with SADC for its credible assessment of Zimbabwe's Election," CiZC emphasized the need for dialogue and a transitional government. The petition aims to collect 10,000 signatures.
CiZC also expressed solidarity with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who chairs the SADC Troika on Politics, Defense, and Security, and Dr. Nevers Mumba, head of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM) to Zimbabwe's recent election. They commended Sadc for highlighting electoral irregularities and emphasized their unwavering support for the regional body's role in addressing the crisis.
However, some institutions, such as the Institute for Security Studies, have cast doubt on SADC's ability to resolve the Zimbabwean election crisis. SADC clarified its role, emphasizing that it observes elections and makes recommendations but does not conduct elections in its member states.
Source - newsday
