Zimbabwe Election Observation Mission

Press Release—The Pan African Parliament (PAP) would like to announce that it had received an invitation from the Government of Zimbabwe to participate as an observer for its forthcoming Harmonized Elections set to take place on March 29, 2008 for which it would like to express its appreciation. This is the second time that PAP is called upon to observe elections in a Member State, the first being Kenya.

The Pan African Parliament, as the voice of the Peoples of Africa has, according to its Protocol, been tasked with:

· “Promoting the principles of human rights and democracy in Africa;

· Encouraging good governance, transparency and accountability in Member States; and

· Promoting peace, security and stability”.

By going on this Mission, we are in fact fulfilling these objectives.

A team of twenty (20) Parliamentarians representing all the five regions of Africa will be going on this mission, supported by a number of staff from the Secretariat of PAP and the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA), who is collaborating with PAP on this mission.

This mission will be going to Zimbabwe with an open mind, hoping that a conducive environment will prevail. The Mission is also hoping that the level of preparedness of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will invite the people of Zimbabwe to exercise their democratic right and express their will.

PAP would like to call upon the international community to join hands with the rest of Africa in supporting the people of Zimbabwe in these elections and wishing them well.

Hon. Marwick T. Khumalo, M.P.

Leader of the Mission

Chairperson, Southern Africa Regional Caucus

Rapporteur, Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution

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