SADC Observers Arrive in Zimbabwe

(The Herald)—The first group of the Sadc election observer team has arrived in the country and begins its work today with the regional grouping’s executive secretary, Dr Salamao Tomaz, expected to join them today.

At least 50 election observers had flown into Harare by Sunday night and have since started getting accredited.

The head of observer team from Angola, which chairs Sadc’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, is also expected today.

The name of the head was not immediately available yesterday, but he or she will be a nominee of Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos.

The regional bloc will launch its mission to observe the forthcoming presidential, parliamentary and council elections today.

Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security at the Sadc Secretariat Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Tanki Mothae yesterday said the bloc’s observers were arriving in teams.

He, however, did not have the total number of the observers but said they would begin deploying them once they are all here.

"We are here at the invitation of the Zimbabwean Government, but more importantly we are here because Zimbabwe is a member state so we need to take ownership of these elections. All member countries will be sending their representatives. We will be working under the auspices of Sadc. This is in line with the Sadc Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections," said Rtd Lt-Col Mothae in an interview.

"We are here because Zimbabwe is part of our family. We have vested interests because Zimbabwe and Sadc are inseparable. That is why we, as the Sadc Secretariat, are facilitating the accreditation of election observers and they will soon be deployed to various parts of the country soon after the official launch tomorrow."

Rtd Lt-Col Mothae said a preliminary team of the Sadc observer mission was in Zimbabwe in mid-February.

The preliminary team studied the number and size of constituencies and their boundaries and the number of candidates contesting the elections, among other issues.

"It was after that preliminary assessment that we were able to determine the number of observers needed and wrote to member countries to nominate at least 10 observers because there are many constituencies in this election," he said.

In a related matter, an African Union assessment team is already in Zimbabwe to examine the logistics for the elections.

The team is expected to leave today after which the AU observer team will come in.

Zimbabwe has invited 47 regional and sub-regional organisations as well as countries from Africa, Asia, the Americas and one European country — Russia — to observe this month’s harmonised elections.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, said the observers were invited on the basis of reciprocity, objectivity and impartiality in their relationship with Zimbabwe.

He said those countries and organisations that believe that the only free and fair election is where the opposition wins had been excluded since the ruling party, Zanu-PF, is poised to score yet another triumph.

Five Asian countries — China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Iran — and four from the Americas — Brazil, Jamaica, Venezuela and Nicaragua — will observe the elections.

African regional organisations invited are Sadc, Comesa, Non-Aligned Movement, the Economic Community of West African States, Pan-African Parliament, Economic Community of Central African States and the East African Community.

Among the invited sub-regional organisations are the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific bloc, Association of South East Asian Nations, Maghreb Union, Community of Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) countries and Inter-Government Authorities on Development.

<< Back to main