Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Southern African Catholic Bishops extremely concerned at the situation in Zimbabwe.
The people of Zimbabwe have the right to choose their President in an election that is contested freely and fairly. The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) passionately supports this legitimate aspiration of the Zimbabwean people.
Sadly, the politically motivated violence, intimidation and torture have made a just and fair run-off presidential election virtually impossible. The electoral playing field is not level. Opposition candidates cannot present their views to the electorate, nor do they have equitable access to the media. Monitoring systems are not in place.
The violence has intensified in the last few weeks to the extent that the Movement for Democratic Change has made the difficult decision not to participate in what has degenerated into a sham. The choice by the MDC to try to protect the lives of supporters and others who have been targeted is understandable. The alternative would have been an undeclared civil war.
A consensus model of government that involves all Zimbabweans must be sought. The International Community must co-operate with the Southern African Development Community to bring about a just settlement. A ‘winner-takes-all' solution that rewards the ruling party for its atrocities and criminal mismanagement will only entrench the sufferings of the most vulnerable.
We, together with other organisations, warn that the atrocities and barbarism of Zanu-PF are being documented. Mr Mugabe's actions and those of his Generals, their wives, his thug supporters and the so-called ‘war veterans' are offensive in the eyes of God. Judgement awaits.
Everyone needs to keep asking the question as to who is benefiting from the current crisis in Zimbabwe.
We, the Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa, believe that the actions of the incumbent ruling elite deserve rigorous censure. They are blight on every African.
We call on the member States of the African Union to register their commitment to democracy in Zimbabwe by rejecting the legal fiction that this election has become and by not recognising Robert Mugabe and his party as the legitimate government.
We are deeply concerned at this situation and warn that unless there is a unified effort from the International Community with the leadership of Southern African Countries, the hopeless situation of violence, famine and uncertainty will result in a vast humanitarian crisis that will engulf the whole Southern African region.
Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM.
Archbishop of Durban.
Spokesperson of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference.
Issued on behalf of Cardinal Napier by Fr Chris Townsend, Information Officer of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference.
All Media enquiries to Fr Chris Townsend
Mobile: +27 82 7834729
Email:
townsend@sacbc.org.za