The United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) are welcome
to monitor the country’s elections to be held this year, President Mnangagwa
has said. In an interview with The Financial Times of Britain this week,
President Mnangagwa indicated that Zimbabwe would rejoin the Commonwealth, from
where it moved out 16 years ago. He reiterated that the country was going
to hold free, fair and peaceful elections.
“We want fair, free
and credible elections,” said President Mnangagwa in the interview. “In the
past, those who had pronounced themselves against us; who pre-determined that
our elections would not be free and fair, were not allowed to come in. But
now, with this new dispensation, I don’t feel threatened by anything. I would
want the United Nations to come, the EU should come. If the Commonwealth were
requesting to come, I am disposed to consider their application.”
President Mnangagwa
said the country was committed to re-engaging countries with which relations
had soured in the past, including Britain. “When we have engagement, they
Britain) want to raise the issue about us joining the Commonwealth,” he said.
“I said I’ll be happy to deal with that. I personally have nothing against the
Commonwealth club.”
President Mnangagwa
said the exit by Britain from the European Union popularly known as Brexit was
actually a good opportunity for Zimbabwe “because they will need us. “And
we will make sure we become very close to them. So that what they’ve lost with
Brexit they can come and recover from Zimbabwe.”
Speaking in Mozambique
on Wednesday on the fourth leg of his tour of the region in which he is
apprising Sadc Heads of State about the political developments in Zimbabwe,
President Mnangagwa said the elections should be transparent, free and fair.
“Zimbabwe is going for
elections in four to five months’ time and we have to preach peace, peace and
peace, because we know it is good for us and we have no doubt that we will have
peaceful elections,” he said.
“I assure the regional
leadership that the forthcoming harmonised polls will embrace the tenets of
democracy, fair play and standards set by us in the Sadc. We will ensure
that Zimbabwe delivers free, credible, fair and indisputable elections to
ensure Zimbabwe engages the world as a qualified democratic State.” President
Mnangagwa has expressed confidence that the ruling Zanu-PF will romp to
emphatic victory, as it is the only party in touch with the needs and
aspirations of the people.
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