Zimbabwe 2000: OAU interim statement

Updated July 2000

The OAU Observer Team of 30 members, composed of Ambassadors, other diplomats, members of Parliament and technicians drawn from the various African countries, covering all the sub-regions of the Continent were deployed into all 10 Provincial Constituencies of the country as from Thursday 22 June, 2000. The Preliminary Reports from all Provincial Constituencies indicate that voting was brisk on Saturday 24 June 2000 but slower on the Sunday 25 June 2000. On the whole, voter turnout was good.

The OAU Observer Team noted that there were some scattered incidences of attempts to intimidate voters. Nonetheless, all put together, these incidents were not sufficiently significant to have a negative impact on the voter turnout. The OAU Observer Team also noted that a number of voters spread around the country were prohibited from voting, largely as a result of problems connected with the voter registration process. It is not possible at this time to determine the total number of such voters.

Whilst the total impact of the problems and electoral process is still to be assessed, we have reached the tentative conclusion that, all things considered, voting was held in a generally peaceful atmosphere, the voting process was smooth and the Zimbabwean people have successfully exercised their franchise.

In view of all that transpired during the campaign including the violence and acrimonious debate, the major challenge now facing the Zimbabwean people has to do with creating a national strategy and forging forward with their development in an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

Meeting this challenge demands that Zimbabwean political leaders begin without delay to engage themselves across party lines in a process of dialogue and consultations and in so doing, demonstrate the necessary courage and magnanimity so that it can be seen that the election was not another element to deepen division and fuel conflict but rather an opportunity for productive re-engagement and democratic governance.