Latest News Editor's Choice


News / National

'Zimbabwe elections conform to Sadc rules, says Sadc Chairperson

by Staff reporter
07 Aug 2013 at 23:43hrs | Views
SADC chairperson President Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique has congratulated President Mugabe and Zanu-PF for adhering to Sadc guidelines and resoundingly winning the harmonised elections last week.

President Mugabe trounced MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai in the presidential contest, garnering over 61 percent of the vote to Mr Tsvangirai's 33,9 percent and leaving the other three aspirants to share the remaining 4,97 percent while Zanu-PF scored a two-thirds majority after sweeping 160 seats in the 210-member National Assembly.

Guebuza said the elections conformed to Sadc principles and guidelines governing democratic elections, joining Troika chair President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete of Tanzania, GPA facilitator President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Michael Chilufya Sata of Zambia, Mr Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, the African Union, Comesa and African Caribbean and Pacific countries in congratulating President Mugabe and Zanu-PF on a crushing election victory.

"We would like to congratulate you, Mr President, on your re-election as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Your victory and that of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF), in a landslide manner, at the 31st July 2013 harmonised and Sadc rules-based elections, create the conditions for striking your great country out of the Sadc agenda, as a stand-alone political item," President Guebuza said.

Zimbabweans, he said, should be commended for the orderly and peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the electoral process.

"We, in Sadc, are also very proud and pleased that the political leaders of your beautiful country came together to provide the region and the world with this landmark event. Now you can all show the region and the world that you can continue working closely together to deliver greater prosperity to Zimbabwe and play your increasingly important role in Sadc and in other international fora," President Guebuza said.

"While wishing you good health and success in the discharge of your noble duties, Mozambique and Sadc will remain Zimbabwe's partners in facing the new, many and complex challenges ahead. Please accept, Mr President and Dear Brother, the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem."

Congratulatory messages to President Mugabe and Zanu-PF continued pouring in yesterday flying in the face of MDC-T and its Western allies,  Britain, the US and Australia, who continue picketing against the tide of African opinion.

Source - herald
More on: #Sadc, #Election