Global Zim forum press release

from an email

GLOBAL ZIMBABWE FORUM

PRESS STATEMENT

RE: Forthcoming Zimbabwean Elections on 29^th March

The Global Zimbabwe Forum would like to express its dire concern at the current state of the preparations for the forthcoming harmonized elections that are due to be held in Zimbabwe on 29^th March 2008.

We would like as Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, to state in no uncertain terms our unequivocal stance on the following issues:

1. The outcome of the forthcoming elections will be highly compromised by the fact that over three million eligible voters who are now living outside Zimbabwe will be excluded from participating in the process. We believe that the exclusion of the Diaspora vote is a fundamental flow that brings the credibility of the elections into question.

2. We also note with concern the rather inconclusive nature of the SADC mediation process that was being led by President Thabo Mbeki. Should Zimbabweans expected more from this rather protracted process.

3. We further call upon SADC and Africa in general to ensure that the elections are held in accordance with the expectations of the SADC Protocol on Elections that was adopted in Mauritius in August 2004.

4. We urge all the interested political parties and independent candidates in the forthcoming elections to promote a spirit of peaceful election campaign process. Political violence must be condemned unconditionally.

5. We endorse current efforts to mobilize some Zimbabweans in the Diaspora especially those living in the SADC region to return home and vote in the forthcoming elections.

6. While we respect the individual members’ preferences of candidates of their own, we do not endorse any candidates in the elections since we are a politically non-partisan organization but urge the Zimbabwean electorate to vote for a candidate who will seek to promote the democratic ideals of Zimbabwe especially the interests of the diverse Diaspora community.

7. We urge all Zimbabweans at home to go turn out in their numbers on 29^th March and fully exercise their right to elect the leaders of their own choice.

Issued in Johannesburg on Monday 25^th February 2008 by

Mr. Daniel Molokele

Co-ordinator

Telephone: +27729474815

Ms. Grace Kwinjeh

Chairperson

Telephone: +27794344508

Mr. Mandla-akhe Dube

Vice Chairperson

Telephone: +6421348288

Mr. Canaan Mhlanga

North America Region

Telephone: +7782373072

Mr. Simbarashe Chirimubwe

Rest of Africa Region

Telephone: +267-71910712

Mr. Promise Mkwananzi

Europe Region

Telephone: +31612697629

Mr. Luke Zunga

South Africa Region

Telephone: +27835281561

Prof. Stan Mukasa

North America Region

Telephone: +724 467 0001

Mr. Daniel Molokele
Pretoria
South Africa
Cell. +27 72 947 4815
Website. http://danielmolokele.blogspot.com