Friday 11 April 2008

The president of the Southern African Bishops' Conference says someone such as the former UN secretary-general should mediate the situation in Zimbabwe and ensure an acceptable solution.

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg released a statement today calling for "credible mediation" in the Zimbabwe crisis, where presidential elections were held 29 March but results have still not been announced.

"The situation in Zimbabwe is of regional, continental and international concern," Archbishop Tlhagale said.

"As President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference and on behalf of the Catholic Community in Southern Africa, I call on the leaders of the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to act swiftly to diffuse this tension by mandating a mediator of sufficient international repute, such as Kofi Annan, to ensure a solution that is acceptable to all Zimbabweans."

Annan was the UN secretary-general from 1997-2007. He is a native of Ghana, and he was instrumental in resolving the conflict that erupted in Kenya this year after their contested 27 December 2007 elections.

The archbishop also urged the president of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, and other African institutions and leaders "to use all of their influence and skill to intervene for the release of the Zimbabwean election results."

"The apparent impunity and lack of respect for the democratic process that has allowed this delay is a cause for grave concern," the prelate affirmed. "The postponement of the release of the results has only fuelled tension and fear in Zimbabwe. The credibility of a peaceful vote has been undermined by this delay and the posturing by political parties. This time of uncertainty has created an opportunity for lawlessness.

"I trust that the concerns and future of the people of Zimbabwe will be placed first."

[Zenit]