UN calls for political transition in Zim
9 July 2008
The crisis in Zimbabwe represents not only a "moment of truth" for democracy in Africa but also a "challenge to the world", says United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro.
Addressing a UN Security Council meeting on peace and security in Africa in New York on Tuesday, Migiro said Zimbabwe had been beset by months of deadly violence amid the recent holding of tarnished elections.
"When an election is conducted in an atmosphere of fear and violence, its outcome cannot have a legitimacy that is built on the will of the people," she told the Security Council. "Consequently, the principle of democracy is at stake."
Zanu-PF leader Robert Mugabe was sworn in for a sixth term as president of Zimbabwe after being declared the winner of a one-man run-off election on 27 June. Violence and intimidation had led to the withdrawal of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Migiro said the "flawed" elections had produced illegitimate results, adding that "the seriousness of the situation and its possible consequences has the potential to affect regional peace and security in profound ways."
"It is of note that the three African observer missions present on the ground issued unequivocal condemnations of the electoral process and its results.
"This profound crisis of legitimacy," she said, was made worse by the paralysis of Zimbabwe's state institutions, a civil society that had been intimidated and silenced, a crippled economy and severe shortages of food and basic services.
"It is clear that Zimbabwe will have to go through a political transition bringing together its people around a common project.
"It will also need a process of national healing and reconciliation that should include wide-ranging and participatory national consultations," the UN deputy secretary-general said.
Zanu-PF and the MDC have reportedly agreed to dialogue, and talks are ongoing under South African mediation. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has backed the African Union's call for the establishment of a mechanism on the ground to support the mediation efforts.
"We believe that the only way out of this crisis is for the two sides to agree on a political solution that would pave the way for a democratic transition and economic recovery of the country," Migiro said.
Migiro added that while the world mobilised to support a peaceful solution to the crisis, Zimbabwe's government had to stop the violence immediately and protect its citizens, who have been subjected to deadly violence and a worsening humanitarian situation since the first round of elections was held on 29 March.
She also called for the perpetrators of crimes in the country to be held to account, emphasising that the victims of the recent violence deserved justice.
"The UN stands ready to play its part in supporting such a process," she said.
Source: BuaNews
