PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT
PARLEMENT PANAFRICAIN
البرلمان الأفريقي
PARLAMENTO PAN-AFRICANO
29 JUNE 2008
THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION TO THE
PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF AND PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTIONS IN ZIMBABWE

INTERIM STATEMENT

Prior to the arrival of the main Mission team on 14 June 2008, an Advance Team of ten (10)
MPs and eight (8) support staff was deployed on 8 June 2008 with the objective of assessing
the prevailing pre-election environment by monitoring the state of preparedness and the political developments in the country. Following their accreditation, the Advance Team visited the suburbs of Harare and neighbouring provinces of Mashonaland East, Central and West and
Manicaland. The Team also held preliminary meetings with a number of election stakeholders
in Harare.
On 14 June, the main group of observers arrived in Harare. Between the 17 and 18 June 2008,
the Mission held briefings with election stakeholders. The Mission invited the presidential
candidates, civil society organisations, University of Zimbabwe academics, the media and
diplomatic corps.
The Mission adopted an open-door policy which allowed individual members of the public to
bring to the Mission’s attention any election-related incident.
On 19 June, the Mission deployed a total of sixteen (16) teams to all ten provinces.
1. The Pan-African Election Observer Mission:
• cognisant of the report of the Advance Team;
• considering the three days intense interaction with various stakeholders;
• analysing reports from the Mission’s Observer teams; and
• noting the results of investigations carried out in the field; the mission observed
the following:
i. The prevailing political environment throughout the country was tense, hostile and volatile as it
has been characterised by an electoral campaign marred by high levels of intimidation, violence,
displacement of people, abductions, and loss of life:
• The Mission observed traces of intimidation and violence in all provinces it visited.
Houses burnt down, people assaulted and sustained serious injuries.
• Violence disrupted normal life of ordinary Zimbabweans and led to internal displacement
of people. The Mission visited various locations of the evicted and displaced.
• A number of cases of abduction, some of which resulted in deaths, were reported. The
Mission visited aggrieved/bereaved families, obtaining official a post-mortem report and
attended the funeral of one such victim.
ii. Hate speech, incitement of violence and war rhetoric instilled fear and trepidation amongst
voters. Statements made by esteemed leaders in Zimbabwe make it difficult to dismiss claims of
state-sponsored violence and it is highly regrettable.
iii. Restrictions on the fundamental civil and political rights such as freedom of assembly and
freedom of movement:
• The Mission was able to attend star rallies organised by the Presidential
candidate of ZANU-PF. However, it noted with grave concern that the MDC
Presidential candidate was not accorded the opportunity to hold rallies.
• The Mission was disturbed by the numerous arrests that the MDC Presidential
candidate was subjected to. Such a move is inconsistent with a free-flowing
electoral process.
iv. Overwhelming lack of access to the public media by the Opposition:
• According to Section 3 of the Electoral Act, the ZEC failed to ensure that there was
“reasonable access to the media” by both parties. Regrettably, the State-controlled
media was used as a vehicle to discredit the opposition candidate in all forms.
v. Political tolerance in Zimbabwe has deteriorated to the lowest ebb in recent history:
• Compared to the Harmonised Elections held in March 29, the level of tolerance between
ZANU-PF and MDC supporters leading up to the 27 June Presidential Run-off Election
had deteriorated to unprecedented levels. On account of an electoral process,
neighbours have turned enemies, Zimbabwean against Zimbabwean, etc.
• In this Presidential Run-off, the Mission observed a number of defaced and ripped
election posters.
vi. Numerous road blocks by militia-type groups allegedly identified with the ruling party,
seriously curtailed free movement of ordinary Zimbabweans and commuters:
• Some of the Mission teams experienced these road-blocks first hand.
vii. Restrictions on accreditation of local observers:
• The Mission noted that the rules of accreditation that obtained in March for local
observers had changed leading to dramatic scaling down of the number accredited. For
instance, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) which covered all the polling
stations in an efficient manner were regrettably offered limited accreditation which
compelled them to pull out from observing the electoral process.
viii. Lack of transparency of the postal voting process, coupled with allegations of lack of
secrecy of the vote:
• Numerous complaints received by the Mission indicated that the postal voting was
conducted in a non-transparent manner. Attempts by the mission to observe and verify
were met by denial of access.
• When raising the issue with ZEC, the Mission was informed that, as the law stands
currently, the commanding officer is the only authority who grants access to observers
using his/her discretion.

ix. Politicisation of security forces led to lack of impartiality and loss of confidence in the voting
process:
• Overall, the Mission noted that the leadership of the security forces have not changed
their position of overt support to the ruling party despite calls, following the March
Harmonised Elections. The discriminatory treatment in granting permission for the
holding of campaign rallies, reluctance to arrest alleged ZANU-PF aligned individuals
perpetrating violence, is cause for concern.
• The Mission was dismayed by uniformed police officers on duty wearing the ruling party
regalia.
x. The independence and impartiality of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is rendered
questionable. The role of ZEC in this particular election has been more wanting than the
previous election. Its deafening silence was alarming and created a perception of a
sequestrated body.
2. Voting Day
The voting day was fairly quiet. Voters proceeded to cast their ballots in an orderly manner.
• Generally, voter turn-out was relatively low. It is unclear if some voters heeded the call to
boycott elections or it was mere voter apathy. It is surprising though that the MDC
Presidential candidate who withdrew from the Run-off, was still voted for by a significant
number of voters.
• In many polling stations visited by our Mission, it was noted that certain male-dominated
groups intercepted voters and gave them pieces of paper on which they were required to
write the serial number of their ballots.
• An unusually high percentage of spoilt ballots were recorded in the polling stations
where our Mission observed the counting process. Unpalatable messages were written
on many of those spoilt ballots.

3. Conclusions:

i. In view of the above the Mission concludes that the current atmosphere
prevailing in the country did not give rise to the conduct of free, fair and credible
elections.
ii. Conditions should be put in place for the holding of free, fair and credible
elections as soon as possible in line with the African Union Declaration on the
Principles Governing Democratic Elections
iii. In the interim, the PAP Mission calls on the SADC leaders working together with
the African Union to engage the broader political leadership in Zimbabwe into a
negotiated transitional settlement.

Hon. Marwick T. Khumalo

Mission Leader

Centro de Estudos Moçambicanos e Internacionais
Av. Patrice Lumumba 1154, caixa postal 1092, telefax +258 21 326586, email: cemode@teledata.mz, Maputo – Moçambique.

PROGRAMA DE DEBATE

Local: PESTANA ROVUMA HOTEL; Data: 01 de Julho de 2008 (3ª Feira)

ABERTURA 14:30-14.45 Chegada e registo dos participantes Comité Organizador
14.45-15.00

Boas Vindas e problematização Ismael Valgy (MINEC)

15:00-17:30

TEMA:

'Eleições americanas: cenários, desafios e perspectivas para Moçambique e para a região da Africa Austral. '
Moderador: Patricio José (Magnifico Reitor do ISRI)
Orador: Todd Chapman (Encarregado de Negocios da Embaixada dos EUA em Moçambique)
Comentador: Aly Jamal (Docente do ISRI)
Comentador: Salomão Moyana (Editor do Magazine Independente)

ENCERRAMENTO

17:30-17:45

Considerações Finais

Miguel de Brito (Director do EISA)

17:45-18:30
CAFÉ

SADC ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION
(SEOM)


PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

PRESENTED BY

THE HON. JOSÉ MARCOS BARRICA

MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORTS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ANGOLA

AND HEAD OF THE SEOM

ON THE ZIMBABWE PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF AND HOUSE OF

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY- ELECTIONS


HELD ON 27 JUNE 2008



1. INTRODUCTION

On 2 May 2008 the results of the Presidential election were finally announced. None of the four candidates received an outright majority required by the Electoral Act. Accordingly, on 19 May 2008, ZEC announced that a run-off election would be held on 27 June 2008 between the candidates of the MDC, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and the ZANU-PF, Mr Robert Gabriel Mugabe, who had secured 47.9 percent and 43.2 percent of the votes respectively.

The ZEC also announced that by-elections would be held on the same day in the Gwanda
South, Pelandaba-Mpopoma and Redcliff Constituencies where elections could not proceed on 29 March 2008 due to the death of candidates before the election date.

The SADC was, again, invited by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe to observe these elections in terms of the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

Following this invitation, the Chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation (OPDSC), His Excellency Eng. José Eduardo dos Santos, President of the Republic of Angola, officially constituted the SEOM and mandated the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tomáz Augusto Salomão, to organize its deployment. The Chairperson of the OPDSC, appointed Hon. Jose Marcos Barrica, Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Angola to head SEOM.

Pursuant to this mandate, Diplomatic Missions of SADC Member States accredited to Zimbabwe assumed the role of an advanced team. After the necessary logistical and administrative preparation the full SADC Electoral Observer Mission was re-deployed to Harare from 28th May 2008.

.The SEOM maintained contact with other international observer missions such as the African Union (AU), and the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), and UN Assistant Secretary-
General for Political Affairs . During these interactions, notes were exchanged.


As part of their fieldwork, SADC observers were deployed to all provinces in Zimbabwe. The observers interacted with political parties and candidates canvassing for support, ZEC
officials, non-governmental organisations, police officers and citizens.

2. DEPLOYMENT

The Mission observed these elections in line with SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

During the pre-voting period, the ZEC, despite operating under a politically charged environment, was able to prepare for the election by among other things, handling of postal votes, training of electoral officers, the setting up of polling stations, and delivery of voting materials.

The SEOM consisted of 413 members from all SADC Member States, except Madagascar. They were deployed into ten (10) provinces which were divided into 210 constituencies and 9 100 polling stations. The background of the members of the Mission ranged from parliamentarians of both ruling and opposition parties, members of civil society and civil servants. Field teams were, as far as possible, composed and deployed in a manner that made them representative of Member States.

The SADC Mission conducted its observation in a rigorous and systematic manner. Field teams submitted daily reports which were consolidated and analysed by members of the SADC Secretariat. Allegations raised with the SEOM were, likewise, pursued in a systematic manner through further observations and requests for further information from the relevant authorities or role-players. Based on the aforegoing the SEOM wishes to report on the following observations and findings

3. OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS PRE-ELECTION PHASE

Politically motivated violence and intimidation
The period leading up to the run-off election was characterized by politically motivated
violence resulting in loss of life, damage to property, and serious injuries sustained and
hindering political activities.

All role-players acknowledged the existence of politically motivated violence but differed regarding the nature, extent, causes and origins of this violence and its impact on the electoral process. On numerous occasions victims of politically motivated violence allege that the security forces did very little to stop the violence of arrest the perpetrators of violence.

The prevalence of politically motivated violence was uneven, being most acute in Mashonaland East, West and Central, Manicaland, Masvingo, and Harare. This politically motivated violence led to the internal displacement of persons and impacted negatively on the full participation of citizens in the political process and freedom of association.

On 25 June 2008 the Head of SEOM issued a statement expressing its deep concern on
widespread politically motivated violence. and appealed to the relevant authorities, particularly supporters of political parties and candidates to refrain from all forms of violence. The Mission also urged the law enforcement agencies to ensure that there was law and order in the country.

Political Campaigns

The ruling party held a number of well-attend rallies throughout the country. Posters, pamphlets, stickers, t-shirts and other regalia were very prevalent and visible throughout the country.

Few rallies were held by the opposition party, and SEOM observed with concern disruption of campaigning of the opposition party and the regrettable inaction of the law enforcement agencies, despite the court order authorising such rallies.

The one-sided coverage in content and extend of one candidate on the part of the state media, print and electronic. In addition, no advertisements for
the opposition party were carried.

A number of pronouncements were made by both Presidential candidates as well as other role players, to the effect that they would not accept and respect the results of the elections. The SEOM find pronouncements of this nature contrary to the SADC Principle and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

The SEOM was able to conduct its task without much hindrance. However,, numerous SEOM teams reported being harassed in the course of their duties.

On 22 June 2008 the presidential candidate of the opposition party announced publicly that he was withdrawing from the run-off election and cited the escalation of political
violence and intimidation as reasons for his withdrawal.

A formal letter of withdrawal was submitted on 24 June 2008. The ZEC indicated that this letter did not comply with the timre frame set out in the Electoral Act and could not be accepted.

Notwithstanding this withdrawal from the presidential run-off election, the opposition party indicated that its candidates would contest the House of Assembly by-elections in Gwanda South, Pelandaba-Mpopoma and Redcliff Constituencies.

Election Day

The elections was conducted in conditions that were relatively free of violence and was managed by the ZEC in a manner that is technically competent.

At most voting stations observed by SEOM the only party agents present were from the ruling party and that few local observers were accredited for the Presidential runoff compared to the Harmonised Elections held on the 29 March 2008..

The mission noted that, in some spoiled ballot papers, the voters have recorded expressions like “God bless this country,” Let there be free and fair elections’, No to dictatorship’ and so forth, which expressed their dissatisfaction the way the elections were conducted.

There was a low turn out during the runoff compared to the 29 March 2008 harmonised elections.

4. CONCLUSION

The Mission expresses its gratitude to the Member States who have complied to the request of increasing the observers and the provision of the resources.

The pre-election phase was characterised by politically motivated violence, intimidation, and displacements.

The process leading up to the presidential run-off elections held on 27 June 2008 did not conform to SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. However, the Election Day was peaceful.

Based on the above mentioned observations, the Mission is of the view that the prevailing environment impinged on the credibility of the electoral process. The elections did not represent the will of the people of Zimbabwe.

5. CONSIDERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

We reiterate our conviction that there can be a viable solution to the profound problems facing Zimbabwe through dialogue amongst all political stakeholders, and involving the people of Zimbabwe.

The mission also pledge its support and solidarity to and with the people of Zimbabwe and we wish them courage, strength and determination as they embark on this difficult but vitally necessary process.

The mission strongly recommends that SADC mediation efforts should be continued in order to assist the people and leadership of Zimbabwe to resolve the problems they are facing and bring the country to normalcy. In this regard, SADC should establish a mechanism on the ground in order to seize the momentum for a negotiated solution.

The mission notes that the country needs the concerted efforts of its sons and daughters for economic-socio development and national unity.

The Mission regrets and wishes to express its profound sympathy to those Zimbabwean
families who have lost their loved ones and their property.

Harare, 29th June 2008

Mocambique: Governo bane manifestacao de solidariedade para com o Povo do Zimbabwe!

O Comandante Geral da Policia da Republica de Mocambique baniu ontem a tarde uma manifestacao pacifica e ordeira de solidariedade da da sociedade civil mocambicana para com o povo do Zimbabwe.

Em carta dirigida aos organizadores do evento, o Comando Geral da Policia emitiu uma nota com a referencia no. 169/DP/DOSP/2008 com o seguinte conteudo:

Ministerio do Interior

Comando Geral da Policia

Direccao de Ordem e Seguranca publica

Departamento de Proteccao

Refa. no 169/DP/DOSP/2008

Cumpri-me informar a v. Excia. que por despacho de S. Excia o Comandante Geral da PRM, de 26 de Junho de 2008, exarado na vossa comunicacao sobre o assunto em titulo, desaconselha a realizacao da marcha pelo facto de nesta data haver outra marcha que nao nos permitira a tomada de medidas pertinentes.

Cordiais Saudacoes,

Maputo aos 27 de Junho de 2008
O Chefe do departamento
dr. Ambrosio Luis Muandula
(Ad. comissario da Policia

C/C: Presidente do Conselho Municipal

Zimbabwe: Possible scenarios

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has held the second round of presidential elections, even though opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has withdrawn. We look at the possible scenarios ahead for Zimbabwe. Mugabe wins election and remains as president Given Robert Mugabe's determination to stay on and to use the instruments of the state and his party Zanu-PF to support him, this is the most likely scenario, at least in the short term. In the absence of Morgan Tsvangirai, of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Mr Mugabe is bound to win the presidential run-off and will duly be declared the winner. Mugabe isolated internationally and regionally The US and UK governments have said they now do not recognise Mr Mugabe as the president of Zimbabwe. They would campaign for a similar decision to be taken by the regional Southern Africa governments, especially South Africa, and by the EU. This could prevent Mr Mugabe from attending international meetings. Interestingly, the African Union is holding a summit next week. It has a rule not to accept leaders who have not been democratically elected and a process to deny them accreditation. But it would be astonishing if they took such strong action so quickly. Sanctions increased Sanctions might be increased. At the moment, the EU has imposed travel bans and asset-freezing measures against Mr Mugabe and 130 of his leading supporters. This list would be extended and would apply to their families as well, including children at schools and universities abroad. The US and Australia have similar targeted measures and could increase them. The government of Zimbabwe relies heavily on its earnings from mining and there could be EU and US restrictions on companies doing business with state enterprises in Zimbabwe. Care would have to be taken not to hurt the poor, already suffering from huge inflation. The loophole is that China or other countries might step in the fill any gap. The UN has no sanctions on Zimbabwe. Whether the Security Council would impose any must be doubtful at the moment. Some have called for South Africa to cut electricity supplies, or for landlocked Zimbabwe's neighbours to impose a blockade but such measures would obviously hit ordinary people worst and so are unlikely. Government of national unity The MDC would offer negotiations and, realising that his position internationally and regionally is weakened, Mr Mugabe agrees to form a coalition government. New elections would follow. The key question here is whether Mr Mugabe would remain president. If he did, would the MDC agree? If not, would he agree? Any agreement would also need pressure on Mr Mugabe from South Africa and other regional governments and the African Union. Also, there would need to be guarantees that the new elections would be free and fair. Collapse of Zanu-PF leadership Mr Mugabe's close associates would break into factions, with some wanting to find a safe way out for themselves (through an immunity deal with the MDC, for example). Others might fight on, but in the end, even they might realise it was over, would turn on Mr Mugabe and tell him to go. Without support from the powerful security force elements, Mr Mugabe could not enforce his will. Despite reports of splits within Zanu-PF, the campaign of violence shows they remain united. Civil unrest and economic deprivation This is the more of the same scenario. There could be violence as Zanu-PF seeks to establish total control under a renewed Mugabe presidency. Economically, the country falls into subsistence living. The chances of a full-scale civil war look remote at the moment, given the weakness of the MDC and the intimidation used by Zanu-PF. Military intervention Mr Tsvangirai has called for armed peacekeepers to be sent to Zimbabwe, but no government has shown any desire to send in troops to invade and remove Mr Mugabe from power. It would need a UN Security Council resolution to authorise such an invasion and this would be very difficult to get, even if anyone proposed it, which is unlikely at the moment. Zimbabwe's army would resist any foreign military intervention - a civil war is probably the only thing worse than the current situation for ordinary Zimbabweans. A humanitarian intervention, with the aim of protecting and feeding people, is a possibility if things get totally out of control. A UN authorised force might be assembled but it would be difficult to do anything if there was opposition from the Zimbabwe authorities. International Criminal Court prosecution The problem with this is that Zimbabwe has not signed up to the court and therefore proceedings cannot be taken against its leaders. Any legal action would need authorisation from the Security Council (along the lines of the tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda). Mr Tsvangirai had stressed that he would like Mr Mugabe to have an "honourable retirement" - but that was before the latest campaign of violence. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7472942.stm

UN 'regrets' Zimbabwe election

Reports from across the country indicated low voter turnou The UN Security Council has said it deeply regrets Zimbabwe's decision to go ahead with the presidential poll. It said conditions for a free and fair election did not exist, but stopped short of saying it was illegitimate. President Robert Mugabe is assured of victory after opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai boycotted the poll. Votes are now being counted. A top African Union diplomat said African leaders could find a credible solution to Zimbabwe's problems. AU commission chairman Jean Ping emphasized that democracy and human rights were shared values of all the AU countries. "We are here playing the role of guardian of these values, so when we see there has been violations of some of these shared values, it is our duty to react and call some of our members to order," he said. Mr Ping was speaking in Egypt ahead of next week's AU summit. Mr Mugabe is expected to attend the summit and the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says he will want to declare victory before leaving for Egypt. 'Mass intimidation' In the latest condemnation of the poll, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called it "a new low". "The world is uniting in rejecting the illegitimate regime of Robert Mugabe," he said in a statement. The European Union and the US earlier dismissed the vote as meaningless. Foreign ministers for the Group of Eight nations (G8) meeting in Japan said they could not accept the legitimacy of a government "that does not reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people". Morgan Tsvangirai on the day of polling US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said they would consult other members of the UN Security Council to see what "next steps" might need to be taken. Earlier, the Security Council issued a statement which said members "agreed that conditions for free and fair elections did not exist and it was a matter of deep regret that the election went ahead in these circumstances." But the statement, backed by all 15 council members including South Africa, China and Russia, stopped short of declaring the election illegitimate because of South African opposition. People will not feel safe moving about with an unmarked finger Zimbabwean citizen Harare cowed for one-man poll Election: At a glance In pictures: Mugabe election The Security Council is expected to return to the issue of Zimbabwe in the coming days. However, diplomats said that because of resistance from South Africa, China and Russia, the council was unlikely to impose sanctions. At a news conference held in Harare before polls closed, Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai described the election as "an exercise in mass intimidation". Mr Tsvangirai, who boycotted the poll because of violence, said people across Zimbabwe had been forced to take part and urged the international community to reject the vote. "Anyone who recognises the result of this election is denying the will of the Zimbabwean people," he said. The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, a monitoring group, reported that people had been forced to vote in most rural areas. Fear of retribution A Zimbabwean journalist said militias loyal to Mr Mugabe had gone door-to-door in townships outside the capital, Harare, to coerce people. HAVE YOUR SAY This election is a charade - Mugabe and his thugs have succeeded in driving out the opposition Nikolai, UK Send us your comments Despite the pressure, Marwick Khumalo, who heads of the Pan-African parliamentary observer mission, told the BBC that overall turnout had been low and the mood sombre. But the state-owned Herald newspaper said there had been a huge voter turnout. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said that people were aiming to preserve Zimbabwe's independence. African voices on Zimbabwe's poll crisis In pictures Mr Mugabe came second to Mr Tsvangirai in the first round of the presidential vote in March. Since then, the MDC says some 86 of its supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by militias loyal to Zanu-PF. The government blames the MDC for the violence, but Mr Mugabe has suggested negotiations with the MDC were possible - "should we emerge victorious, which I believe we will". Mr Tsvangirai has said negotiations would not be possible if Mr Mugabe went ahead with the run-off.

Mocambique: Governo bane manifestacao de solidariedade para com o Povo do Zimbabwe!

O Comandante Geral da Policia da Republica de Mocambique baniu ontem a tarde uma manifestacao pacifica e ordeira de solidariedade da da sociedade civil mocambicana para com o povo do Zimbabwe.

Em carta dirigida aos organizadores do evento, o Comando Geral da Policia emitiu uma nota com a referencia no. 169/DP/DOSP/2008 com o seguinte conteudo:

Ministerio do Interior

Comando Geral da Policia

Direccao de Ordem e Seguranca publica

Departamento de Proteccao

Refa. no 169/DP/DOSP/2008

Assunto: Marcha de Solidariedade para com o Povo do Zimbabwe

Cumpri-me informar a v. Excia. que por despacho de S. Excia o Comandante Geral da PRM, de 26 de Junho de 2008, exarado na vossa comunicacao sobre o assunto em titulo, desaconselha a realizacao da marcha pelo facto de nesta data haver outra marcha que nao nos permitira a tomada de medidas pertinentes.

Cordiais Saudacoes,

Maputo aos 27 de Junho de 2008
O Chefe do departamento
dr. Ambrosio Luis Muandula
(Ad. comissario da Policia

C/C: Presidente do Conselho Municipal

Mocambique: Governo bane manifestacao de solidariedade para com o Povo do Zimbabwe!

Dear Comrades,

Its was unbillievable when the notice came as a bomb, Mozambican civil society had planned for today a rally in solidarity of the people of Zimbabwe, This was called by Civil society to show the concerns around ongoing violence which is affecting the people of Zimbabwe and to condemn the silence of the SADC leaders around the issue of Zimbabwe.

In the letter the police commissioner state that due to the another rally which was happening in the same day the police is unable to give any go ahead for the rally, the stated rally by the commissioner is not known by civil society it clearly show us how our leadership is failing us, the same rights which are been denied to the people of Zimbabwe are been denied in our Countries.

we will continue to show our support to the people of Zimbabwe until they are free from the brutal regime of the day.

in solidarity of people from Zimbabwe.

Cesar

Cesar Mufanequico-National Coordinator of MATRAM
Avenida Romao Fernandes Farinha 1123, 1 andar esquerdo, Bairro do Alto-Mae,
Maputo-Mocambique

CELSO MANGUANA: O POETA LAUREADO DA MINHA GERACAO PARIU FINALMENTE!

APRESENTAÇÃO DO LIVRO DE CELSO MANGUANA

PÁTRIA QUE ME PARIU

POR: LUIS CEZERILO

Com mestria, o “agricultor de seus verdes” chega à messe. Sendo um sopro na aragem, enforca-se. Tal atitude faz nascer a Poesia fruto da cópula do poeta com sua amada companheira - a palavra. Na inspiração, desenvolve-se o embrião, eis o momento do parto: o poeta traz hoje ao mundo a sua filha e baptiza-a de Pátria que me pariu.

Segue à risca o que foi ordenado ao homem - “crescei, multiplicai e enchei a Terra”, para privilégio nosso, o poeta Celso Manguana enche o planeta com frutos de sua relação e torna mais bela assim a Literatura Moçambicana.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe lembrava:

O maior mérito do homem consiste sem dúvida em determinar tanto quanto possível as circunstâncias e em deixar-se determinar por elas tão pouco quanto possível. Todo o universo está perante nós como uma grande pedreira perante o arquitecto, o qual só merece esse nome se com a maior economia, conveniência e solidez constituir, a partir dessas massas acidentalmente acumuladas pela Natureza, o protótipo nascido no seu espírito. Fora de nós, tudo é apenas elemento. Sim, até posso dizer: tudo o que há em nós também. Mas no fundo de nós próprios encontra-se essa força criadora que nos permite produzir aquilo que tem de ser e que não nos deixa descansar, nem repousar, enquanto não o tivermos realizado, de uma maneira ou de outra, fora de nós ou em nós.

As apresentações, no mais das vezes, se colocam no lugar da fala intermediária. É o discurso de outrem que, via de regra, se institui como discurso autorizado para discorrer sobre um conjunto de escrita consubstanciada numa obra, num livro. Para além de óbvio que esta afirmação revela, devemos nos ater ao cuidado que ela exige. Roland Barthes já chamaria a atenção de elas, as apresentações, se revestirem de uma intenção ética e moral: na impossibilidade doa autores se apresentarem por si mesmo, o escritor é interditado deste momento de sumária apresentação sobre os seus feitos. Ele convenientemente silencia, e se abre assim a interpretação. Se tal afirmação nos é permitida, teremos que admitir que se trata de um desafio Arriscado, porém necessário.

O que um poeta pensa do mundo e dos seus habitantes está nos livros que escreve, por mais que ele insista que é apenas um narrador e que não se responsabiliza pelas acções e opiniões das suas personagens. Não adianta o poeta esconder-se, pois, todo o poema é a favor ou contra, e uma mudança de parágrafo pode ser uma tomada de posição em relação ao que o poeta pensa da sua sociedade. Confessou-me, o amigo Celso nos raros mas preciosos silêncios da nossa convivência:

Sou um homem mal-enganado e sempre houve a suspeita de que sou subversivo e a favor de determinadas coisas que eles, os donos do Poder entendem como subversivas. Não participo na política por falta de talento e de gosto. O partido é uma imposição, uma prisão, e eu prefiro pensar em termos de Liberdade.

Como podemos observar o poeta considera que o compromisso com a liberdade, além da sua fascinação com o trágico e o cómico das relações humanas e os mistérios da memória e da criação, é tão claro aqui quanto na sua poesia.

Neste breve momento de estar na poesia de Manguana, tomamos Penélope e a Aranha como metáforas – desgastadas e vigorosamente vivas – da constituição da sociedade moçambicana como um grande texto. A metáfora neste sentido encontra-se num sintagma em que aparecem contraditoriamente a identidade de dois significantes e a não identidade de dois significados correspondentes ou na transferência analógica de denominações segundo Benveniste.

Minhas Senhoras,

Meus Senhores

Pátria que me pariu é um texto que nos leva a tecer na urgência e displicência do nosso quotidiano vivido sem método e sem ciência, e que se transforma em vontade de uma época, expressando um espírito unificador que permite a identificação de diferentes experiências vivenciadas pelo poeta e pelo país do Rovuma ao Maputo.

Este tecido multicolorido, colcha de retalhos de “eus”, do eu lírico, estilhaçados de uma modernidade tardia, plural e contraditória torna a poesia de Manguana complexa, rica e singular a tudo que já se pôde viver e morrer em Pátria, e porque não, Mátria.

Chegaste/já não quero ouvir falar de pátrias/nem de pitas/tenho uma Mátria/Já não tenho que escrever/tenho que amar/eu tenho uma Mátria/minha Mátria, meu amor/Meu amor minha Mátria/Quem tem Mátria não precisa de Pátria. (pág. 40).

Essa cultura do caos, da ausência e do limite, na poesia de Celso Manguana, joga-nos num universo dinâmico e extraordinariamente sedutor, entre tantos discursos, que ficamos a procura onde foi que nos perdemos a nós mesmos. Cito: Pátria/quero só uma/o lugar de morte/A nenhuma cidadania/pertenço/conheço/três lugares de exílio/O amor, a memória/ a loucura. (pág. 10)

Manguana conduz-nos a desafios plurivocais do nosso tempo, questionando a ética que o requer, o princípio que o orienta, o valor humano que o conduz – A Liberdade.

Na luz bruxuleante das urbanidades nacionais tudo o que podemos obter é o vazio de uma referência estável, como se a vida fosse um ponto desfocalizado na lente embaçada das nossas retinas de excesso de claridade: “não despeço, peço lume/charro aceso prossigo/para a morte, obviamente para a morte/minha Pátria. (pág. 11).”

Por isso mesmo quando me dei ao abrigo na poética de Celso Manguana, captada na teia da presente obra Pátria que me pariu observamos que se poderia escolher a diversidade da linguagem e da história, deixando que os poemas pudessem falar por si mesmos da sua finitude, incompletude e esperança, que é uma forma possível de dizer segundo o autor:

“No seu Mercedes C Class /o patrão sabe/do novo preço do chapa?/Sabe?/ (Pág. 28).”continua, “Sangue muito sangue/estrume talvez/para regar as causas/só as causas justas /Mas sonhamos só a meia haste. (pág. 17);” esperançado reclama: “quem tudo chorou merece ser feliz/um minuto só porque num minuto há tempo bastante para amar/deixar de amar e voltar a amar. E ponto”

Não pretendemos, sob qualquer pretexto, promover ou estimular classificações estanques, pois, Celso Manguana não cabe certamente em categorias particulares e não enclausura sua poética neste ou naquele gênero e ao ler a presente obra, testemunhamos uma constante diluição das fronteiras textuais: poesia realista, cultural, social, política e poesia lírica que compõem os traços da sua obra deste Delfim da poesia moçambicana

Como já dizia Roland Barthes, em o Rumor da Língua: a linguagem literária excede sempre qualquer esquema descritivo, escapa sempre às malhas grosseiras de metalinguagem técnica. De acordo com Leila Perone-Moisés, suas análises, as de Barthes, o conduziram a ver menos o que se encaixava nos modelos do que aquilo que os desmantelava.

Ainda para Perone-Moises, o texto literário tomado por esse autor não foi dominado pela necessidade de decifrá-lo, visto que foi o indomável que o seduziu e que provocou, em vez de uma simples grade de leitura do texto-objecto, a produção de um novo texto tão complexo e fascinante quanto aquele que lhe servira de pretexto. A tentativa de saber o que o texto literário significa revelou-se para Barthes como uma impossibilidade e um logro.

Contudo o texto escrito ultrapassa o mero acto de reter o dito. A tensão que se estabelece é, portanto, entre o “dizer original” e a inevitável abertura que sempre leva em conta a alteridade – o outro - a quem esse dizer, afinal, se destina. Este não corresponde ao que chamaríamos de um interlocutor originário, como alguém que tem diante de si a tarefa de compreender, imposta pelo próprio texto, pois como diz Gadamer, um texto não é um objecto dado, mas uma fase na realização de um processo de entendimento.

Truísmo à parte, Manguana é um homem de seu tempo, representando-o sob diversos modos. Em sua obra, misturam-se e separam-se, num jogo concomitante, o sujeito e o poeta. O filósofo Giorgio Agamben, em Profanações (2007), retoma a discussão sobre o par função-autor e autor, estabelecido por Foucault. Agamben lembra-nos que, para Foucault, a marca do escritor “residia na singularidade de sua ausência, aguardando-lhe, no jogo escriturário, o papel de morto.”(Agamben 2007:55).

À luz das considerações de Foucault, Agamben considera que um autor assinala uma só vez a vida que foi jogada na obra – e que foi jogada como obra. Para ele, o autor é um gesto, “tão-somente a testemunha, o fiador de sua própria ausência na obra, cabendo ao leitor, por sua vez, retraçar essa ausência como no infinito recomeço do jogo” (Agamben 2007: 55).

Sob esse ponto de vista, consideramos que em Celso Manguana a função-autor é exercida plenamente pois caracteriza “o modo de existência, de circulação e funcionamento de certos discursos no interior de uma sociedade”. (Agamben 2007: 56).

Numa espécie de convivência velada com a escrita de Celso, entrarão a compor uma sinfonia de racionalidade e intuição, dialogando inteligências solitárias de cuja solidão do eu lírico ninguém tem culpa, mas pela maravilha da escrita e do livro poderão reflectir sobre sentidos e silêncios das diversas pátrias no autor. Estamos aqui e agora fazendo a travessia do nosso tempo, e não nos esquecendo de que o dia precisa testemunhar a fatia de vida que nos cabe, inusitadamente a cada minuto.

No território fecundo de Pátria que me pariu, encerramos assuntos e especificidades variadas, mas todos trilhando o chão plástico da linguagem, dos discursos e da sociedade moçambicana que os produz, de modo a reiterar a relação vivificadora da poesia e das práticas sociais que à premeia.

Pátria que me pariu, apresenta-se como um mosaico de experiências de vida de Celso Manguana, e sobretudo, como vivência humana que entre um sonho e um pedaço do real continua o saudável e necessário espaço da produção literária moçambicana. Retomando a metáfora inicial desta apresentação onde o mapa rico, desenhado com os fios e dissimilares traços da aranha tecedeira, este livro guarda a imagem da unidade possível, não unívoca, mas plural e múltipla, aliás marca identitária do autor, no fio sensível dos nossos mestres Craveirinha, White, reafirmando a qualidade, o vigor e a solidez da produção da linguagem na literatura moçambicana.

À terminar diria uma Penélope a tecer o encantamento de seu tempo, o gosto de lembrar para esquecer, e assim ser possível reeditar a cada dia o sentido do amor e da liberdade: Empresta-me o teu ombro para que as minhas lágrimas corram/Lentamente/Sem pressa/Assim devagarinho até onde o amor é.

Assim sendo, convido o estimado leitor a inscrever-se nesse tecido.

Muito obrigado

ZIMBABWE

Joaquim Chissano disponível para integrar equipa de mediação do conflito político no Zimbabwe

O antigo presidente de Moçambique Joaquim Chissano admitiu hoje a hipótese de participar, caso lhe seja solicitado, numa equipa de mediação para ajudar a resolver o conflito político no Zimbabwe.

Em declarações à agência Lusa a partir da capital moçambicana, Joaquim Chissano reagia a uma declaração do líder da oposição zimbabweana, Morgan Tsvangirai, à Rádio Renascença, em que sugeria que dois ou três estadistas africanos se deslocassem ao Zimbabwe para fazer com que as partes se sentassem a negociar, avançando com o nome do antigo presidente moçambicano e do seu homólogo da Nigéria, Olusegun Obasanjo.

"Agora estou ocupado com a questão do Uganda, mas se for contactado vamos estudar a forma como se deve trabalhar. Não posso dizer nada até que seja contactado", disse Joaquim Chissano à agência Lusa, sublinhando que o Fórum dos Antigos Chefes de Estado africanos "está disponível para constituir as equipas que achar melhores" para ajudar a resolver a questão do Zimbabwe.

O antigo presidente moçambicano, disse que "para uma mediação é preciso que primeiro haja um acordo das partes sobre se essa mediação deve ter lugar e as partes devem concordar sobre as pessoas que devem participar".

"Pertencemos a um grupo de antigos chefes de Estado, vamos consultar-nos e ver como vamos trabalhar, se for necessário. Criámos esse grupo precisamente para ser prestável aos países africanos, aos presidentes em exercício, onde pudermos tomar a iniciativa. Onde as iniciativas estão tomadas podemos cooperar com aqueles que estão lá a trabalhar. O Fórum dos Antigos Chefes de Estado está disponível para constituir as equipas que acharmos que são as melhores", garantiu Joaquim Chissano.

O ex-chefe de Estado sublinhou que "existem outras iniciativas no terreno" e que, por isso, é preciso ponderar uma intervenção, mas que se o Fórum for chamado a mediar o conflito irá fazê-lo de uma forma discreta, longe da comunicação social.

"Quando o fizermos não o vamos fazer com a imprensa. Será `low profile` porque já se discutiu muito na imprensa, agora é preciso discutir com as pessoas que devem ser o alvo, é assim que temos estado a trabalhar, por isso é que somos pouco conhecidos", ironizou.

Questionado pela Lusa sobre se a data das eleições presidenciais no Zimbabwe, cuja segunda volta ocorrerá sexta-feira, deveria ter sido adiada, como sugeria a ONU, Joaquim Chissano afirmou que já é tarde para alterações e que "agora não há nada a fazer".

"Se há-de haver eleições amanhã, terão de haver. Agora não há nada a fazer. Depende da legislação de cada país o que se faz quando uma das partes não desiste da corrida eleitoral. Eu não sei qual é a resposta legal do Zimbabwe. Pode haver muitos cenários", declarou, acrescentando: "Um dos cenários era não haver eleições mas o presidente continuava lá e o outro é o presidente fazer umas eleições que são apenas para cumprir com o que estava estipulado e continua a ficar lá. O resultado é quase o mesmo".

Na opinião de Joaquim Chissano, "o que é certo" neste momento

ZIMBABWE

Dear Comrades,

Its was unbillievable when the notice came as a bomb, Mozambican civil society had planned for today a rally in solidarity of the people of Zimbabwe, This was called by Civil society to show the concerns around ongoing violence which is affecting the people of Zimbabwe and to condemn the silence of the SADC leaders around the issue of Zimbabwe.

In the letter the police commissioner state that due to the another rally which was happening in the same day the police is unable to give any go ahead for the rally, the stated rally by the commissioner is not known by civil society it clearly show us how our leadership is failing us, the same rights which are been denied to the people of Zimbabwe are been denied in our Countries.

we will continue to show our support to the people of Zimbabwe until they are free from the brutal regime of the day.

in solidarity of people from Zimbabwe.

Cesar

Cesar Mufanequico-National Coordinator of MATRAM
Avenida Romao Fernandes Farinha 1123, 1 andar esquerdo, Bairro do Alto-Mae,
Maputo-Mocambique

Zimbabwe

Dear Friends,

As the Presidential run-off election takes place, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum today, 27.6.08, released its Monthly Political Violence Report for April 2008, documenting politically motivated human rights violations which occurred soon after the 29.4.06 Harmonised Elections in Zimbabwe .

The Report notes with great concern the very high number of torture cases in April; having recorded 560 cases of torture amongst other violations including 550 assaults, 412 displacements, and 712 transgressions against freedom of association movement or expression and 783 of political discrimination.

Due to the high number of torture cases, the April Report gives an overview picture, there being too great a number of cases to include in the body of the report. Further detail about these cases will be available on our web site early next week. Please contact us separately if you wish to be sent this information beforehand.

In the light of what the report notes are ‘all the negative circumstances’ accompanying today’s election, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum asserts that elections today cannot possibly be free or fair.

Extractos do Comunicado do MINEC sobre o Zimbabwe!

Finalmente na ultima Terca Feira o governo Mocambicano pronunciou-se! Seguem alguns extractos dos ultimos pronunciamentos do Presidente guebuza e do MINEC!

President Guebuza said at Mozambique's Indepedence Day celebrations here on 25 June that he wants to see the Zimbabwean presidential election concluded in a peaceful atmosphere. The parties concerned should meet and chart a way forward. "Since there are discordant voices in Zimbabwe, our concern is to find a way for these voices to stop being discordant. For this, we are urging the parties to meet and take positions that can allow the process to continue peacefully".

The previous day, the Government issued a statement expressing concern about the situation in Zimbabwe and the acts of violence. They regretted the loss of life; regretted the withdrawal of Tsvangirai from the election; and encouraged the parties to engage in dialogue urgently. Mozambique would continue to support SADC's efforts, together with the parties involved, including Mbeki's role as facilitator, to ensure that the process returned to normal as soon as possible.

Zimbabwe: Resolucao das Nacoes Unidas aprovada unanimemente (Incluindo a Africa do Sul)

The Security Council condemns the campaign of violence against the political opposition ahead of the second round of the Presidential elections scheduled for 27 June, which has resulted in the killing of scores of opposition activists and other Zimbabweans and the beating and displacement of thousands of people, including many women and children.

The Security Council further condemns the actions of the Government of Zimbabwe that have denied its political opponents the right to campaign freely, and calls upon the Government of Zimbabwe to stop the violence, to cease political intimidation, to end the restrictions on the right of assembly and to release the political leaders who have been detained. The Council urges the international monitors and observers to remain in Zimbabwe while the crisis continues.

The Security Council regrets that the campaign of violence and the restrictions on the political opposition have made it impossible for a free and fair election to take place on 27 June. The Council further considers that, to be legitimate, any government of Zimbabwe must take account of the interests of all its citizens. The Council notes that the results of the 29 March 2008 elections must be respected.

The Security Council expresses its concern over the impact of the situation in Zimbabwe on the wider region. The Council welcomes the recent international efforts, including those of SADC leaders and particularly President Mbeki. The Security Council calls on the Zimbabwean authorities to cooperate fully with all efforts, including through the UN, aimed at finding a peaceful way forward, through dialogue between the parties, that allows a legitimate government to be formed that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people.

The Security Council further expresses its concern at the grave humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe and condemns the suspension by the Government of Zimbabwe of the operations of humanitarian organisations, which has directly affected one and a half million people, including half a million children. The Council calls on the Government of Zimbabwe to immediately allow humanitarian organisations to resume their services.

The Security Council will continue to monitor closely the situation and requests the Secretary-General to report on ongoing regional and international efforts to resolve the crisis.

Zimbabweanisses

Fontes seguras confirmam que uma observadora mocambicana (de alto gabarito parlamentar) as eleicoes no Zimbabwe acaba de ser vaiada pelos seus pares ao pretender 'editar'' o comunicado da sua missao de observadores!
Para quem tinha duvidas sobre a partidarizacao do Estado de que os Bispos falaram na sua famosa Carta Episcopal, deia uma olhadela a lista de observadores mocambicanos as eleicos Zimbabweanas. Veja a preferencia em termos de cores dos nossos observadores! Representam Mocambique ou a Pereira de Lago? Coisas da Mugabe-Guebuzocracia! Ate o cunhado apanhou uma boleiazita!

J. NDLOVU	MOZAMBIQUE	1
A. MAURE	MOZAMBIQUE	1
J. BUCUANE	MOZAMBIQUE	1
R. VALIGY	MOZAMBIQUE	1
F. ZURO	MOZAMBIQUE	1
A. NANDJA	MOZAMBIQUE	1
A. CORREIA	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MRS. CARMELITA NAMASHULUA	MOZAMBIQUE	1
DR. LEONARDO SANTOS SIMAO	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. TOBIAS JOAQUIM DAI	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. ESPERANCA MACHAVELA	MOZAMBIQUE	1
SELESIO NALYAMBIPANO	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. PEDRO ODALLA	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. JOAO PELEMBE	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. ALEXIO MALUNGA	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. BELMIRO RUDOLFO	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. MANUEL ALBERTO	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. CARLOS CAUIO	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. ANTONIO CARRASCO	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. EMIDIO NHAMISSITANE	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. ANTONIO SALOMAO	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. JOSE MACHUANA	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. RODRIGUES MUEBE	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. RAUL GUEZIMANE	MOZAMBIQUE	1
MR. ANTONIO HIBRAIMO	MOZAMBIQUE	1
TOTAL MOZAMBIQUE		25

Comunicado de Imprensa

Marcha de solidariedade para com o povo do Zimbabue

O Centro de Estudos Moçambicanos e Internacionais (CEMO), em parceria com a Liga Moçambicana dos Direitos Humanos (LDH), realizam amanhã, dia 27 de Junho uma marcha de solidariedade para com o povo do Zimbabue.

A manifestação, pacifica e ordeira, coincide na data em que naquele país se realiza a segunda volta das eleições presidencias, saliente-se, apenas com a presença de Robert Mugabe, após a retirada de Morgan Tsivagirai lider do Movimento para a Mudança Democratica (MDC) vencedor da primeira volta.

As Nações Unidas, a União Africana e a SADC, devido a onda de violencia que vem caracterizando o Zimbabue desde as eleições de 29 de Março, já apelaram que a eleição de amanha seja adiada. O CEMO, em dois debates sobre a crise política zimbabuena, concluira não existirem condições para a realização da segunda volta.

O CEMO e a LDH vem por este este meio convidar a todos os orgãos de informação nacionais e internacionais baseados em Moçambique a fazerem a cobertura da Marcha de solidariedade para com o Povo do Zimbabue.

A marcha tera inicio as 15 horas com partida na praça Robert Mugabe e, tera o seu termino na embaixada do Zimbabue com a entrega de uma moçao de solidariedade para com o povo do Zimbabue.

Em nome de uma cidadania mais activa e participativa aguardamos pela vossa inestimavel presença e colaboração

Por eleições Transparentes, Livres e Justas na SADC,

Maputo aos 26 de Junho de 2008

Peticao sobre o Zimbabwe

Eu acabei de assinar uma petição pedindo sanções mais fortes contra o regime brutal do Presidente Mugabe no Zimbábue. Por favor una-se a mim assinando a petição: http://www.avaaz.org/po/zimbabwe. Essa peticao foi organizada por Avaaz.org. Veja abaixo para mais informação.______________
Querido amigo,
Nos últimos dias o Zimbábue tem entrado numa profunda crise de direitos humanos quando o governo agrediu ativistas pró-democracia. Clique abaixo para assinar a petição demandando sanções mas fortes direcionadas aos políticos do Zimbábue.

http://www.avaaz.org/po/zimbabwe/

No domingo o porta voz do partido democrático de oposição foi agredido de forma tão brutal que ele perdeu um olho. Semana passada o líder da oposição, Morgan Tsvangirai foi preso e espancado por participar de uma cerimônia de protesto. Outros ativistas democráticos no Zimbábue estão correndo sério risco, muitos ainda presos.

Não podemos deixar esse momento extremamente urgente de atenção internacional passar sem demandar ações concretas. Se a Europa e os países vizinhos do Zimbábue (a África do Sul é o seu maior parceiro econômico) ameaçarem aumentar as sanções, o Presidente Mungabe vai ser forçado a parar os ataques. O Premio Nobel da Paz Desmond Tutu da África do Sul esta convocando o apoio do seu pais e aliados para impedir esses abusos. Clique abaixo para se juntar a ele nessa demanda:

http://www.avaaz.org/po/zimbabwe/

Sanções direcionadas (como o congelamento das contas bancarias do Presidente Mungabe no exterior) não vão prejudicar o povo do Zimbábue. Ações rápidas podem prevenir uma catástrofe. Para além desse momento critico, devemos demonstrar solidariedade com ativistas pró-democracia e de direitos humanos ao redor do globo para construir o mundo que queremos.
O Zimbábue está chegando a um ponto inaceitável de tirania e colapso do estado, é hora de dar uma virada.

Com esperança,

Ben, Hannah, Galit, Ricken, e toda a equipe Avaaz

You are receiving this email because someone sent it to you via the "tell-a-friend" tool at Avaaz.org. Avaaz retains no information about individuals contacted through this tool. Avaaz will not send you further messages without your consent--although your friends could, of course, send you another message.

FRACA ADERENCIA NAS ELEICOES ZIMBABWEANAS

Noticias acabas de chegar de Harare indicam que varios postos eleitorais encontram-se as moscas!

Zimbabwean runoff gets off to slow start

By ANGUS SHAW, Associated Press Writer 13 minutes ago

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's one-candidate presidential runoff got off to a slow start Friday, with the vote seen as an exercise that won't solve the country's political crisis — and may even deepen it.
World leaders have dismissed the runoff, which follows a campaign of state-sponsored violence so intense the opposition candidate declared he could not run, leaving a defiant Robert Mugabe as the only candidate.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, in a voting day message to supporters distributed by e-mail, said the results of the balloting would "reflect only the fear of the people of Zimbabwe."

During the first round in March, hundreds of people were at polling stations by the time they opened at 7 a.m. On Friday, 10 people were at Harare's main polling station at opening time and even fewer were seen at other stations.

Observers expected Mugabe to ensure his supporters would turn out in large numbers and use violence and intimidation to get others to the polls to vote for him. There was no sign of that in the capital early Friday, but groups of the young men who have been the ruling party's enforcers were on the streets.

While some polling officials were still getting ready at 7 a.m., the station opened on time in Mbare, a crowded Harare neighborhood that is an opposition stronghold. Eight people at the Mbare station at opening time were quick to vote.

On the campaign trail Thursday, Mugabe said he was "open to discussion" with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, but only after the vote. Mugabe had shown little interest in talks and his government had scoffed at Tsvangirai's call Wednesday to work together to form a transitional authority.

Citing the violence, Tsvangirai withdrew from the runoff Sunday, leaving longtime President Mugabe the only candidate. Tsvangirai's name remained on the ballot — electoral officials say Tsvangirai announced his withdrawal too late.

Tsvangirai, in his voting day message, also said he expected voters to be threatened, to be told to record their ballot paper numbers and to have their votes recorded by cameras. He advised them not to resist.

"God knows what is in your heart. Don't risk your lives," he said in the message.

Tsvangirai was first in a field of four in the first round of elections. The official tally said he did not gain the votes necessary to avoid a runoff against the second place finisher, Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for nearly three decades.

Tsvangirai's party and its allies won control of parliament in the March elections, dislodging Mugabe's party for the first time since independence in 1980.

Mugabe was once hailed as a post-independence leader committed to development and reconciliation, but in recent years has been denounced as a dictator intent only on holding onto power.

Efforts to dislodge him at the ballot box have repeatedly been stymied by fraud and intimidation.

Kubatana, a Web site forum for independent Zimbabwean human rights groups, said Mugabe appeared ready to use force to stage-manage a large turnout in his favor Friday. It reported supporters were manning illegal roadblocks on main streets and highways where police were not present.

Witnesses reported nine checkpoints on a 120-mile stretch of highway from the eastern city of Mutare, five of them manned only by militants.

Kubatana reported witnesses saying Mugabe supporters told voters to turn out for Friday's poll in large numbers to give Mugabe a landslide win and those without indelible ink stains from polling stations on their fingers would be seen as opposition supporters boycotting the vote in support of Tsvangirai's withdrawal from the runoff.

As during the first round, individual polling stations will have to post tallies, an innovation hammered out in talks between the opposition and Mugabe's party mediated by South African President Thabo Mbeki. That allowed the independent Zimbabwe Election Support Network and the opposition to compile their own results, making fraud difficult. But this time, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network said it was unable to field monitors because they had not been accredited by the government. And the opposition, boycotting the vote, also will not be monitoring results.

The African Union; the Southern African Development Community, the main regional bloc; and African parliamentarians were observing the runoff, but many believe they would not have sufficient people on the ground to make a difference.

MARCHA DE SOLIDARIEDADE PARA COM O POVO DO ZIMBABWE

Marcha de Solidariedade para com o povo Zimbabweano

A Liga Moçambicana dos Direitos Humanos (LDH) e o Centro de Estudos Moçambicanos e Internacionais (CEMO), vem mui respeitosamente comunicar a V.Excia que pretendem realizar uma marchar de solidariedade com o povo Zimbabweano que em vésperas da Segunda Volta das Eleições Presidenciais assiste uma pesada onda de violência.

A marcha que acontecerá no dia 27 de Junho de 2008 pelas 15 horas partirá da Praça Robert Mugabe e caminhará em direcção a Embaixada Zimbabweana passando pelas Avenidas Julius Nyerere e Mao Tse Tung.

A LDH e o CEMO agradecem a presenca de organizacoes da sociedade civil e de todos os cidadaos nacionais e estrangeiros preocupados com a crescente onda de violacao de direitos humanos bem como com os niveis de violencia pre-eleitoral no Zimbabwe a juntarem-se a marcha como forma de mostrar o seu distanciamento e repudio pela situacao prevalecente no Zimbabwe.

Sem mais as nossas mais sinceras saudações.

PELOS DIREITOS HUMANOS,

PAZ, JUSTICA E DEMOCRACIA

Maputo aos 24 de Junho de 2008

Morgan Tsvangirai pede intervenção da União Africana e SADC

Joanesburgo (Canal de Moçambique) - O líder da oposição zimbabweana, Morgan Tsvangirai, apelou, ontem, à União Africana e à SADC, para “encabeçarem uma iniciativa, com o apoio das Nações Unidas, tendo em vista a gestão de um processo de transição”. Falando no decurso de uma conferência de imprensa na capital do seu país, Harare, Tsvangirai disse que era “necessário alcançar uma solução na base do diálogo genuíno e honesto”. Ele disse que o papel a desempenhar pela União Africana (UA) não poderia ser “uma continuação de negociações, e de negociações acerca de negociações que ao longo dos anos revelaram-se infrutíferas.” 4 exigências chave Como solução para a crise, o líder do MDC enumerou quatro exigências chave, nomeadamente: 1. O fim imediato da violência – os chamados veteranos de guerra e as milícias devem regressar às suas casas e os postos de controlo devem ser desmantelados; 2. Deve ser autorizada assistência humanitarian; 3. Os membros do Parlamento eleitos a 29 de Março último devem ser empossados; 4. Todos os prisioneiros políticos, incluindo o secretário-geral do MDC, Tendai Biti, devem ser imediatamente postos em liberdade; Morgan Tsvangirai disse que a forma como os quatro pontos deveriam ser implementados estava sujeita a discussões. (Redacção /