The Nelson Mandela Foundation has backed an open letter from African leaders, organizations and individuals calling for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe on 27 June, APA has learned.
“We are profoundly concerned by the situation in Zimbabwe and would like to join all freedom-loving people who have added their voices to the growing worldwide call for true democracy there (in Zimbabwe) and urge others to do the same,” said Achmat Dangor, the chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, who signed the letter on behalf of the foundation on Tuesday in Johannesburg at the foundation’s headquarters.
It is not known whether former President Nelson Mandela personally endorsed the letter, which comes as Botswana announced it had broken ranks with Zimbabwe’s neighbors and issued the strongest condemnation so far by any current African government on President Robert Mugabe’s crackdown on his opponents in that country.
President Ian Khama’s government has also become the first in Africa to summon Zimbabwe’s high commissioner to register a formal protest against what is perceived as government-directed violence in his country.
The letter has been endorsed by 18 African ex-presidents, including a former secretary-general of the OAU, two ex-secretary generals of the United Nations, a former judge of the Constitutional Court, two former South Africa archbishops, leading businessmen, Nobel Peace Prize winners and several distinguished academics.
Part of the letters reads: “It is crucial for the interests of both Zimbabwe and Africa that the upcoming elections are free and fair. More significantly, we are conscious of the huge number of Africans who want to see a stable, democratic and peaceful Zimbabwe.
“Consequently, we are deeply troubled by the current reports of intimidation, harassment and violence. In this context, we call for an end to the violence and intimidation, and the restoration of full access for humanitarian and aid agencies.
“Whatever the outcome of the election, it will be vital for all Zimbabweans to come together in a spirit of reconciliation to secure Zimbabwe’s future.”
Source African Press Agency
