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 Home News General
Urgent Action Alert – International community needs to support Zimbabwe10 April 2008In the national election in Zimbabwe on March 29 – almost two weeks ago – against all odds the majority voted for the MDC Opposition and against the incumbent regime of Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF. It is clear now that the Presidential results have not been announced, and parliamentary seat declarations are being challenged, because the Mugabe regime has decided not to accept the results, and is trying to hold onto power. Violent retribution against voters is under way now, and it can be expected that perhaps millions of Zimbabweans will leave their country in coming days and weeks as its economy continues to spiral down with hyper inflation. In truth, the Mugabe regime is on its last legs, and has few economic resources to stay afloat. It is still possible for the election to be honoured and a democratic transition to take place - with the vigorous support of the international community. The primary focus of international pressure must first be the Southern Africa Development Community, which is holding an emergency summit on Saturday to respond to the crisis. This is being convened by President Mwanawasa of Zambia. It was SADC which put its credibility on the line that these elections would be fair. The next levels of focus must be the African Union (led by President Kikwete of Tanzania), the United Nations Security Council, and the Commonwealth. Please take the time now to send an email to each of these bodies, using the addresses provided, calling on them to demand that Mugabe immediately accept the election win by MDC and facilitate a peaceful handover to the incoming government. You could also cc your letters in to the Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith, who has been very firm is defending the people's voice. The time is now - the people of Zimbabwe have made their views so clear. Let's help them. Depending on what happens this weekend, we will issue new calls for action in the coming days and weeks.
Peter Murphy Suggested text: Dear ... It is clear that the Mugabe government in Zimbabwe is refusing to accept the vote of the people on March 29, 2008. This election was guaranteed by SADC to be free and fair. The international community must now vigorously support the people in the exercise of their democratic rights and insist loudly and publicly to Robert Mugabe and his security chiefs that they must immediately accept the election result and facilitate a peaceful handover to the new government. I urge (the UN Security Council / Southern Africa Development Community / African Union) to make this public call in the most coordinated way possible to the Mugabe government. The alternative is a social catastrophe which we must avoid at all costs. Yours sincerely, Please address your letter to these people:
Mr Ban Ki-moon
H E Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa
President Levy Mwanawasa SC
Hon Kamalesh Sharma
Stephen Smith MHR Contact Details Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA Ph: (02) 9264 9343 Fax: (02) 9261 1118 office@unionaidabroad.org.au |
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