TransAfrica Forum
Friday, May 2, 2008
Contact: Joia Jefferson Nuri
Press Release
TransAfrica calls for transitional government in Zimbabwe
Increased violence makes it impossible to simply hold a runoff election
Washington, D.C. TransAfrica Forum is calling on the international community to support the formation of a transitional government for the nation of Zimbabwe. Increased violence since the March 29th elections and the more than month delay in releasing the results, have created a climate of intimidation which will make a national run-off election neither fair nor free.
After a month-long delay the results of Zimbabwe’s presidential election have been released. As projected, by the independent election group, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, neither candidate has won the required majority. Election officials announced that MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai won 47.9 percent of the vote and ZANU-PF leader Robert Mugabe, 43.2 percent. This is Mr. Mugabe’s first loss in 28 years of rule. The third candidate, Simba Makoni, took 8.3 percent of the vote.
During the month long delay reports of widespread violence have increased daily. In light of the volatile situation, TransAfrica Forum weighed in on the discussion regarding next steps in Zimbabwe through a letter to the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Jendayi Frazer. In the letter dated May 1, 2008 just hours before the election results were announced, TransAfrica called upon the U.S. State Department to support the formation of a transitional government in Zimbabwe. The letter goes on to state, “A transitional arrangement would allow government and stakeholders to draft a new constitution, work towards the democratization of government structures, and create an environment that would be conducive for free and fair elections.” A copy of the letter was also sent to the South African Ambassador to the United States, the African Union Ambassador in the United States and members of Congress. The full text of the letter is attached below.
TransAfrica, along with other organizations, sent informal observers to Zimbabwe for the March 29th elections. They travelled the country in an attempt to see first hand what the people in the country were experiencing. It has now been learned that many of the people who were interviewed are being sought by the police and have gone into hiding, including Rindai Chipfunde, Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN).
TransAfrica Forum is the leading U.S. advocacy organization for Africa and the African Diaspora in U.S. foreign policy. TransAfrica Forum helped lead the world protest against apartheid in South Africa and today works for human and economic justice for African people on the continent of Africa, in Latin America and in the Caribbean. www.transafricaforum.org
To schedule an interview contact Joia Nuri in the U.S. at 240-603-7905 or jnuri@transafricaforum.org
Letter to Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ambassador Jendayi Frazier, follows
April 30, 2008
Ambassador Jendayi Frazer
Assistant Secretary of State for Africa
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC
VIA FACSIMILE: 202-647-0838
RE: POLITICAL CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE
Dear Ambassador Frazer:
Reports from Zimbabwe of harassment, intimidation, and brutal assaults on independent election observers and supporters of the opposition are increasing. As well, stories of worsening food insecurity and a dramatic rise in refugees crossing Zimbabwe’s borders into Mozambique, Botswana, and South Africa are also mounting. On Saturday morning TransAfrica Forum received a report that several informal refugee camps have formed inside the Botswana border.
TransAfrica Forum has been absolutely unequivocal in its criticism of the Zimbabwe governments’ human rights abuses. Last month we, along with Africa Action, fielded an informal observer team to the country in order to consult with civil society and human rights groups. Several of those interviewed are now being sought by the police and have gone into hiding, including Rindai Chipfunde, Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN). We are greatly alarmed by the reports of beatings and killings allegedly perpetrated by ZANU-PF loyalists, as well as the recent arrest of asylum seekers sheltered in the Movement for Democratic (MDC) headquarters in Harare. News stories and analysis from the Washington Post as well Southern African media, assert that security actors have become the primary decision makers in Zimbabwe, a very troubling development if true.
The Government of Zimbabwe must release the results of the elections. However, if those results do not solve the current political crisis by indicating a clear winner, then given the current level of violence and instability there seems to be only one approach that might possibly lead to a peaceful and just solution in Zimbabwe: a transitional government. A transitional arrangement would allow government and stakeholders to draft a new constitution, work towards the democratization of government structures, and create an environment that would be conducive for free and fair elections.
Of the various scenarios of which we are familiar, none except negotiations leading toward a transitional government seem viable. The current conditions on the ground make a run-off, even if legally required, impossible. A government of national unity seems equally untenable given the extreme polarization in the country as well of the checkered success of such arrangements.
The other scenario, seemingly advanced by your office, that the Movement for Democratic Change’s (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, assume the presidency also seems flawed. Based upon the independent projections of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), MDC does have more votes in the presidential election and a parliamentary majority, which was confirmed by the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) last week. However, none of the projections, including the MDC’s, indicate a required 51 percent majority. Additionally, in the month since the elections, MDC pronouncements on the vote have been contradictory and confusing.
Given that it does not appear that MDC has achieved the required majority, it seems at best improper for the U.S. Department of State to make a declaration of victory; by some assessments the pronouncement seems irresponsible given the volatility of the situation. The MDC leader and supporters may feel that their case is bolstered by such a demonstration of support from the U.S. but in fact their position is compromised if it appears that they rely on the perceived might of the U.S. to determine the outcome of their country’s elections.
This perception is not simply shared by TransAfrica Forum, on several occasions human rights activists conveyed to members of our delegation that public commentary from the United States has not only harmed relations in the region, but has also undermined the human rights community in Zimbabwe. African leaders find themselves in a similar position; both leaders and human rights workers risk being marginalized and characterized as mouthpieces of Washington, D.C. and of having their own credibility questioned.
Given the volatile nature of the situation, we offer the following for your consideration:
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Nicole C. Lee, Esq.
Executive Director
cc: Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, South Africa
Ambassador Amina Salum Ali, Africa Union
The Honorable Donald M. Payne
The Honorable Russ Feingold
Deputy Assistant Secretary Carol Thompson
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