The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
GOVERNMENT is committed to free and fair elections next year, but will not allow foreign forces to impose their will on the people of Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa has said.
Writing in his weekly column for The Sunday Mail, the President said just like in 2018, next year’s elections will be held “in the full glare of world attention”, as the international community will be invited.
He, however, cautioned that election observers could not monitor the polls since this was a prerogative of Zimbabweans.
“This is our pledge as the Second Republic. We have nothing to hide, and I will ensure Government invites the international community to observe our elections,” he said.
“However, no observer mission invites itself or seeks to impose its own timetable on us. Everything will run according to the times we prescribe as Government, and in terms of our national laws, policies and goodwill.”
Peace, President Mnangagwa added, is owed to every citizen, and, therefore, it was incumbent on everyone, including political parties, to shun violence.
“We cannot let slip of peace merely because violence is perpetrated by or within any one party, whatever the cause or circumstances,” he said.
“I thus urge all parties to underwrite and ensure peace and harmony during their respective internal party processes. This is where we begin to cultivate and build peace for our nation.”
He also said the 2023 general elections will be held in accordance with African laws.
“Even as we invite the international community, we firmly believe our elections are African and for Africa.
“Indeed, the forthcoming elections will be the Zimbabwean Chapter to African democracy. The laws and protocols on which the polls will run are African.
“I believe Africa is well equipped to mind its own elections and electoral processes; we have adequate national laws; Africa has developed adequate rules and electoral guidelines, whether as SADC, other sub-regional groupings, or as the AU.”
Friendly countries beyond the African continent will be invited to observe the polls.
“Beyond our continent, friendly countries and groupings we relate to will also be invited,” he said.
“These have been our all-weather partners in development; they also invite us to observe their elections and or elective events; they thus deserve a special place in our plebiscitary processes.”
President Mnangagwa warned meddlesome foreign missions that were actively sponsoring non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to influence election outcomes.
Such mischief, he said, had forced Government to introduce the PVO Bill.
“Today, I call them to order, warning them against challenging our hard-won sovereignty, which is embodied in all our national processes, including elections.
“Quite often, these hostile countries use political NGOs they deliberately set up; they fund and run as Trojan Horses here.
“It is this kind of mischief, this wanton abuse of our goodwill, which has forced us to introduce the PVO Bill in our Parliament. “I am ready to sign this Bill into law once Parliament has done its part.
“It is a law which has countless siblings in different jurisdictions, including those of Government’s counselling and urging us against it.”
President Mnangagwa said honest and well-meaning NGOs have nothing to fear.
“They will be allowed to go about their humanitarian work, without let or hindrance,” he said.
“Those peddling or saddled with foreign interests and agendas have a lot to worry about; we will act on them once we establish they have betrayed their mandate.
“This includes banning and kicking them out of our country. Let peace reign in our nation as we head towards the 2023 Harmonised General Elections!”
