By Talent Gondo| THE MDC Alliance has called on the securocrats to publicly confirm the statement made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Retired Major General -Sibusiso Moyo at Chatham House in London recently revealing that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will peacefully hand over power in the event that he lost the forthcoming harmonised polls.

MDC Alliance Spokesperson, Professor Welshman Ncube said while the Alliance welcomed minister Moyo’s statement, it was important for the Zimbabwe Defense Forces to reiterate what was said by Moyo to the foreign audience that President 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,” said Ncube.

“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.

This statement should make 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,” he said.

He called on the army Commander to withdraw all army personnel that have been deployed within the country especially 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,” said Professor Ncube.