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Run-off won't help Zim - PAP
07/05/2008 17:36 - (SA)
Midrid - A run-off will not solve the impasse in Zimbabwe and may exacerbate the situation, the Pan African Parliament (PAP) said on Wednesday.
Leader of the PAP's Observer Mission Marwick Khumalo said a political solution was now required.
"We are dealing with a wounded tiger here ..." he said.
He added that the situation in Zimbabwe now was "not conducive to a free and fair election (run-off)".
After a discussion with the head of the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC), Khumalo said he was told that the run-off was not likely to take place within 21 days.
The leader of the ZEC cited "logistical" problems in organising the run-off election within the legal time frame.
Dangerous situation
Khumalo said PAP was assured that the run-off would take place at the "earliest possible time", which would not extend "beyond the next twelve months".
The leader of the Observer Commission also expressed concerns that the will of the people in Africa was increasingly being undermined.
Citing Kenya as an example, he said that kind of negotiated settlement was a "disturbing phenomenon" as it undermined the will of the people.
This kind of situation was "dangerous" and could set a precedent with "everyone wanting to follow suit".
He said it was a tactic which could be used by government wanting to hold on to power despite the people wanting change.
Khumalo added that it was incumbent on the AU to come up with protocol to curb the situation.
Atmosphere of violence
Zimbabwe's run-off election cannot take place in the current atmosphere of violence, SA ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo - head of the country's election observer team - said on Wednesday.
Mamabolo said the SADC had noted the increase in violence in Zimbabwe following the March elections.
"There is violence. For us it's no longer important who you attribute it to.
"Indeed you cannot have the next round taking place in this atmosphere. It will not be helpful."
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