Zim invites SADC observers

2005-02-26 13:11

Port Louis - Zimbabwe has formally invited monitors from southern Africa to observe upcoming legislative elections in March that many fear will fall far short of international standards, officials said on Friday.

Prega Ramsamy, the secretary general of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC), said Zimbabwe's invitation for the bloc to send observers, signed by Foreign Minister Stan Mudenge, had arrived on Thursday.

"I got the letter of invitation yesterday (but) before receiving it, I asked the (SADC) member states to prepare themselves because I knew it was coming," Ramsamy said.

On Thursday, Paul Berenger, the prime minister of Mauritius and current president of the SADC, had said his country was ready to send election observers to Zimbabwe.

Harare has been under heavy pressure to allow observers to monitor the March 31 parliamentary polls, which will be closely watched as a test of President Robert Mugabe's government's pledge to hold a free and transparent vote.

Just 10 days ago South Africa voiced concern about Zimbabwe's delay in inviting regional observers, saying it went against agreed SADC principles and on Monday it said wanted monitors in place as soon as possible.

Mugabe, who has led his country since independence from Britain in 1980, has said his government would only allow observers from "friendly" countries and says it has invited 32 observer missions for the vote.

Zimbabwe did not allow European Union observers for the 2002 presidential elections won by Mugabe.

Those elections and the last parliamentary vote five years ago were marred by allegations of rampant rigging, violence and intimidation.

Ramsamy said the SADC observer team, the number and composition of which will be determined later, would not be interfering in Zimbabwe's internal affairs.

"They are not our police," he said. "Their role is to observe, make a report and say if guidelines and principles have been adhered to."

Ramsamy declined to comment on the current political situation in Zimbabwe.

- AFP