Zimbabwe: Presidential Candidates In Historic Peace Pledge for Free and Fair Elections

By Nevson Mpofu [caption id="attachment_49691" align="alignleft" width="992"] A pastor signs an agreement committing to a peaceful campaign ahead of historic elections in Harare, Zimbabwe, Tuesday, June, 26, 2018. Several Zimbabwean presidential candidates and political parties condemned the explosion over the weekend that narrowly missed Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and signed an agreement to have a peaceful campaign ahead of elections at the end of July. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)[/caption] Twenty-three Presidential Candidates signed a Peace Pledge today in the Capital City in the presence of National Peace and Recreation Commission , Justice Nare and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission [ZEC] Chairperson , Priscilla Chigumba .The appendage for signatures was pledged with certainty and credence ahead of the fourth- coming elections set for July 30 . Giving a peace pledge standing for ZANU PF, Minister of Home Affairs, and ZANU PF Secretary for Administration and Member of Parliament for Bulilamangwe  Obert Mpofu swore that elections will always be free, fair and credible contrary to what MDC parties and some oppositions give pessimism. ‘’ZANU PF is not a perpetrator of violence like wrongly how people think. We strive for peace and unity. Those who talk of political violence have it in mind. We are also afraid of it like any other Party ‘’This is our first peace pledge ever since any election in the country. Why do we see early what is not there. ‘’He who sees political violence ahead has a hidden agenda,’’ Honorable Minister Obert  Mpofu was calling for peace in response to negative sentiments MDC Chairman, Morgan had uttered firing ZANU PF for always inciting political violence in every election. Obert  Mpofu had  come to his peace pledging time at the Political Parties Peace pledging through signature appendage at the Signing Peace Pledge ceremony in Harare . All political parties agreed to go for peace ahead of the coming elections taking place on the 30 of July .Among those at the auspicious occasion was the National Constitutional Assembly led by Lovemore Madhuku  , Elton Mangoma of the Coalition for Democrats ,Obert Gutu representing Thokhozani Khupe of MDC T and Dr Noar Manyika . Dr Noar Manyika said the main issue affecting this country is poverty, which affects 72% of the total population that is 10 million people. ‘’We have violence of poverty in this country. Majority of the people in the country are in absolute poverty, lack of three basic needs and the upsurge of situational poverty arising from political violence. ‘’The future of our children is doomed to dismal failure. We need political and social change through the signing of this peace beginning.’’ European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Phillip Van Van deem said, what causes poverty in the country is lack of peace which leads to political violence. He also said the electoral code of conduct is a problem which at the same time pulls the country down. ‘’Let us promote peace for sustainable Development. Without peace, we have no sustainable development. Without peace the electoral code of conduct is violent, boisterous and disturbing. ‘’Impunity will always prevail at the large expense of the majority in the country. Research verifies that 70% see and talk of peace  , 40% talk and see violence and some are non-partisan ,said Van deem ‘’ UNITED NATIONS Co-coordinator and UNDP Country Representative, Bishow Parajuul prognosticated that peace will prevail for free, fair and credible, non-violent elections. ‘’Peace Goals, thus what we target. Citizens and peace at the foundation builds this country’s economy .Peace and Development remains vital to look ahead of the times. ‘’Human Rights and Gender Equality remain critical in the development of the country. Lack of prevailing human rights and Gender Equality are blocks for peace. ‘’This leads to political violence leading to economic costs at all cost to downfall of the economy of the country.  Social, Economic and Political change builds up on the country’s drive, he said Africa as a whole was represented by some delegates who visited the country a few days ago .One of the countries is Ghana from which Kofi Annan who was invited was represented.