President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe at a press conference on July 30, 2013. The national elections were scheduled for the next day., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
August 7, 2013
Felex Share Herald Reporter
AFRICAN countries yesterday came out in numbers to endorse the harmonised elections, urging the West to respect the will of Zimbabweans by removing the illegal economic sanctions regime. Namibia, Mauritius, Zambia and Russia yesterday joined South Africa, Tanzania, Sadc, Comesa, the AU and UN in congratulating Zimbabwe.
In congratulatory messages to President Mugabe and Zanu-PF, African leaders dismissed vote-rigging claims, saying the West should leave Zimbabwe alone as its people had a right to self determination.
The United States, Britain and Australian have cast aspersions on the poll results, parroting MDC-T claims of vote-rigging without evidence.
Russia and Venezuela have endorsed the poll outcome.
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki said the rights of Zimbabweans should be respected.
Speaking in Pretoria on Monday, Mr Mbeki said the elections were a reflection of the will of the people.
“The people of Zimbabwe have a right to self-determination. They have a right to decide what to do with their country and their future.”
Mr Mbeki, who helped broker a power-sharing agreement between Zanu-PF and the MDC formations after the 2008 elections, said countries hostile to Zimbabwe had long pre-judged the elections.
“There has been a worrying thing about the Zimbabwe elections, which is that there has been a very sustained campaign before the elections to discredit them before they happen. You could see it quite clearly,” he said.
President Mugabe and Zanu-PF romped to a resounding victory, getting 160 National Assembly seats to MDC-T’s 49, with one seat going to an independent candidate.
The President trounced MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai by garnering 61,09 percent of the votes to 33,94 percent for the MDC-T leader.
Three other contestants Professor Welshman Ncube (MDC), Dr Dumiso Dabengwa (Zapu) and Kisinoti Mukwazhe (ZDP) shared the remaining 4,97 percent.
The Sadc Troika — through its chairman Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Sadc facilitator, South African President Jacob Zuma, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Chinese government — congratulated President Mugabe for the victory.
Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba said the re-election of President Mugabe was a demonstration of “trust and confidence” Zimbabweans had in Zanu-PF.
“We commend the people and political leadership of the Republic of Zimbabwe for having delivered free and peaceful elections as reflected in the reports of the Sadc Election Observer Mission and the African Union Observer Mission to Zimbabwe,” President Pohamba said.
“In light of the Sadc and AU Observer Missions declaring the elections as having been free and peaceful and the result representing the will of the people of Zimbabwe, Namibia calls on those countries that have imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe to respect the verdict of the people of Zimbabwe and lift those sanctions.”
Observer teams from Sadc, Comesa, the AU, African, Caribbean and Pacific countries roundly endorsed the credibility of the harmonised elections.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continue working with Zimbabwe.
“I am confident that this fully meets the interests of both Russian and Zimbabwean people, goes in line with promotion of stability and strengthening the security on the African continent. I wish you, Mr President, good health and every success in fulfilling your most important State duties,” he said.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan urged President Mugabe and his party to continue working for the well-being and progress of all Zimbabweans.
In a statement by a special advisor to the president, Reuben Abati, President Jonathan called on President Mugabe to ensure that all persons and parties who oppose the conduct of the polls and the announced results are given every opportunity to seek lawful redress as allowed by the country’s electoral laws and Constitution.
Zambian President Michael Sata said: “Your victory signifies the trust and commitment that the people of Zimbabwe maintain in the Zanu-PF and your able leadership to continue the programmes and policies that will bring development to your country.
“As we join in celebrating this momentous and joyous occasion, I look forward to strengthening further, the existing warm bilateral relations between Zambia and Zimbabwe for the mutual benefit of our two sisterly countries.”
Mauritian Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam described President Mugabe’s re-election as “well-deserved”.
“I am convinced that your impressive victory and that of your party, Zanu-PF, will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for your people,” PM Ramgoolam said.
“I seize this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to further strengthen the existing friendly ties between our two countries. I convey to you my best wishes for your personal well being and that of the people of your country.”
In a communiqué from the Foreign Ministry, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said the elections were peaceful and orderly.
“Thus, following late President Commander Hugo Chavez’s efforts for a multipolar world, the Venezuelan authorities reiterate their commitment to co-operate with and complement the government and people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Saharawi leader Mohamed Abdul-Aziz said President Mugabe’s victory dealt a major blow to Western machinations who wanted to stop the “revolutionary march”.
“This victory is not only for Zanu-PF and for the Zimbabwean people who sacrificed for long time freedom and dignity, but also for many other people who share the same principles with them like the Saharawi people who are still looking to breathe the breeze of freedom and independence as their country remains that last colony in Africa,” he said.
He said the win by Zanu-PF would reinforce Saharawi’s position and enhance its solidarity in its quest to fight colonization of any kind.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Cde Callistus Ndlovu said the revolutionary party’s victory had landed a “crushing blow to the forces of reaction and surrogates of imperialism in Zimbabwe.”
“This victory of Zanu-PF puts to rest the machinations of the enemies of Zimbabwe, who have spent the last decade plotting to effect a regime change in our country,” he said.
“The victory enshrines the revolutionary legacy that you have bequeathed to all of us, Zimbabweans.”
The Indigenous Business Development Centre said Zimbabwe does not need any interference from outsiders.
The organisation warned industrialists against sabotaging Government by working with former colonisers who did not want to see Zimbabwean industries functioning fully again.
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