MDC ALLIANCE RESPONSE TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER’S CHATHAM HOUSE SPEECH

24 APRIL 2018

THE MDC Alliance welcomes the undertaking attributed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Retired Major General -Sibusiso Moyo which undertaking he is said to have made to a foreign audience at Chatham House in the United Kingdom, that President Emmerson Mnangagwa, if defeated at the forthcoming elections, will concede defeat and peacefully hand over power to the winner.

While we appreciate that this statement represents progress from a functionary of Zanu PF and a former military strongman who was the face of the military coup which overthrew former President Robert Mugabe, that undertaking is not adequate.

What is required and would be enough is a statement from the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Valerio Sibanda, made here in Zimbabwe and addressed to the citizens of Zimbabwe making an unequivocal and unconditional undertaking to the people that the military recognises and accepts the sovereignty of the people of Zimbabwe to freely choose their government and that once they have done so the armed forces will not only fully respect the decision of the people but will in fact defend and protect that decision.

Secondly, the Commander of the Defence Forces must immediately withdraw all army personnel that have been deployed among the people in rural areas as part of the Zanu PF election strategy.

Equally, President Mnangagwa in his capacity as President and First Secretary of Zanu PF must instruct all Zanu PF functionaries including traditional leaders to immediately stop demanding from voters voter registration slips and also stop the attendant intimidation thereof.

Professor Welshman Ncube
MDC Alliance Spokesperson