Mugabe: Free reign running out
2004-10-05 20:48
Pretoria - If the outcome of the Zimbabwean election was not declared free and fair, it could have catastrophic consequences for Africa, the SA Council of Churches warned on Tuesday.
Calling for the immediate deployment of observer groups to Zimbabwe ahead of its elections in March next year, the SACC said in Pretoria that if Zimbabwe failed to adopt minimum election standards, it could set a precedent for other countries in Africa.
"If this happens it could mean an end to SADC (Southern African Development Community) credibility and war, " SACC general secretary Molefe Tsele told reporters.
He said it was a known fact that many of Africa's conflicts arose out of disputed elections.
Backed by the SA Catholic Bishops Conference, the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, and the Institute for Democracy in SA, the SACC said, however, that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's free reign was running out.
"We feel that both South Africa and SADC and other African leaders are losing patience with Robert Mugabe and he will feel increasing pressure to ensure that his elections are declared free and fair," said the CPS director Chris Landsberg.
- SAPA