Zimbabwe: 2002 International statements

Updated March 2002

South Africa

"You can't have security forces pre-empting an election outcome before it takes place. Whether they fought for liberation or didn't fight, all candidates must be allowed to stand". January 11, 2002.

Cosatu: The Congress of South African Trade Unions called on the Zimbabwe government to disband Zanu-PF militias and protect citizens from harassment. "The locations of the militia camps are known but no attempt has been made to shut them down even though it is clear that they are responsible for a campaign of terror and brutality". March 4, 2002.

President Thabo Mbeki: "I am tired of the so called crisis in Zimbabwe".

Nigeria

President Olusegun Obasanjo: "I am a fair man and I believe that anybody who believes that Zimbabwe should be suspended before elections is not fair."

Commonwealth

The issue was initially put on the back-burner as the Commonwealth was divided on the issue. In a carefully worded statement, the Commonwealth heads of state: 'expressed their deep concern about incidents of violence and intimidation surrounding the election campaign, called on all parties to refrain from such violence and urged all concerned to work together to create an atmosphere in which there could be a free and fair election'. March 4, 2002.

After the elections, leaders of South Africa, Nigeria and Australia, in consultation with the Commonwealth observer team, will decide on 'appropriate action' including the possibility of suspension.

United Kingdom

Early this year Blair accuses Mugabe of waging a systematic campaign of violence and intimidation before the March 9-10 elections in a bid to extend his 22-year hold on power.

Britain and Australia sought Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth, with Blair warning the credibility of 54-nation organisation is on the line and called for serious action if observers report interference in the vote.

United States of America

President Bush signed into law a bill calling for economic sanctions against Zimbabwe unless that country's government ends anti-opposition violence and the seizure of white-owned farms, on March 6, 2002.

US assistant secretary for democracy, human rights, and labour, Lorne Craner: "There's a situation of great conflict here because the democratic promise that Zimbabwe holds is not being fulfilled. I have been to Zimbabwe before and a lot of countries in Africa and have visited other countries going through democratic transition. And one thing you can say about the last 20 years is that the expectations of democracy are very large".