MAPUTO, Zimbabwe's general election to be held later this year will embrace all the tenets of democracy and fair play set by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), says President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Speaking at a luncheon hosted by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi during his one-day visit to this neighbouring country Wednesday, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe's election, to be held within the next four to five months, would not only be peaceful but undisputed.
The forthcoming harmonised elections will embrace all the tenets of democracy, fair play and standards set by SADC in relation to the conduct of polls. Zimbabwe shall ensure her elections are a SADC affair, an African Union affair and an affair of all nations which subscribe to the tenets of democratic principles, he added.
"I will ensure Zimbabwe delivers a free, credible and indisputable election to ensure the country engages the world as a qualified democratic state."
He warned Ministers from the two countries against bureaucratic hold-ups which has resulted in slow or no implementation of bilateral programmes in the past. "We had a chance to share our visions and compare notes. President Nyusi and myself emphasized that we do not intend to be failed by Ministers who sit on paperwork. That is a philosophy of the past. The present shall demand delivery. We shall not tolerate the unfulfilled missions by our ministers," he said.
He also emphasized the need to ride on existing political relations to promote trade between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. We want more action so our historically rooted relations find vindication in economic terms," he said.
His visit to Mozambique was part of a regional tour to apprise fellow leaders on the political changes that have taken place in the country. He took over from former President Robert Mugabe who resigned last
November following an unprecedented public revolt and military action.
He began the regional trips in December last year by visiting South African President Jacob Zuma, who is the current chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and has also visited Angola and Namibia. President Mnangagwa, who is also expected to visit Zambia later this week, returned to Harare later Wednesday.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK
