News / National
Zimbabwe confirms receipt of Nevers Mumba's damning report
16 Oct 2023 at 01:28hrs | Views
The Zimbabwean government has confirmed that it has received the Southern African Development Community (SADC) final report on the findings and recommendations regarding the August harmonized elections. Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Amon Murwira stated that the government would thoroughly review the document and provide a response. The report, a result of discussions with SADC countries' Ambassadors concerning political developments in Zimbabwe, is seen as an important step in the ongoing election review process.
Murwira emphasized that the report is a recommendation instrument rather than a legal document and can be accepted or rejected. The final report recommended that parties with grievances regarding the election results should pursue internal legal remedies to address their concerns.
The government's response to the preliminary report was previously made public, and a similar response would be provided after a detailed review of the final report. The report raised concerns about Zimbabwe's recent elections, stating that they did not fully meet SADC guidelines and principles for a democratic election. The SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of States and Governments on Zimbabwe, scheduled for October 31, 2023, will address the election crisis issue.
Murwira noted that SADC had been supportive of Zimbabwe's position and commended the Second Republic for actively engaging with the organization. Zimbabwe has presented its views and respected the member states of SADC.
The SADC Election Observation Mission's preliminary report generated controversy, with government and ruling party officials criticizing its chairperson, Nevers Mumba, as a "puppet" used by Western countries to disrupt the region. The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the largest opposition party, rejected the election results, calling them a "gigantic fraud," and demanded a rerun. Other mission observers, including the European Union (EU), the Commonwealth, and the Carter Center, also described the election as flawed.
Murwira emphasized that the report is a recommendation instrument rather than a legal document and can be accepted or rejected. The final report recommended that parties with grievances regarding the election results should pursue internal legal remedies to address their concerns.
The government's response to the preliminary report was previously made public, and a similar response would be provided after a detailed review of the final report. The report raised concerns about Zimbabwe's recent elections, stating that they did not fully meet SADC guidelines and principles for a democratic election. The SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of States and Governments on Zimbabwe, scheduled for October 31, 2023, will address the election crisis issue.
Murwira noted that SADC had been supportive of Zimbabwe's position and commended the Second Republic for actively engaging with the organization. Zimbabwe has presented its views and respected the member states of SADC.
The SADC Election Observation Mission's preliminary report generated controversy, with government and ruling party officials criticizing its chairperson, Nevers Mumba, as a "puppet" used by Western countries to disrupt the region. The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), the largest opposition party, rejected the election results, calling them a "gigantic fraud," and demanded a rerun. Other mission observers, including the European Union (EU), the Commonwealth, and the Carter Center, also described the election as flawed.
Source - online
