Local civic groups have called on regional and international bodies including Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) to urgently and expeditiously facilitate the resolution of the current political impasse and an urgent return to constitutionalism.
Addressing the media in Harare on Wednesday, spokesperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Jestina Mukoko expressed concern on the current political developments in Zimbabwe which has resulted in uncertainty and fear among Zimbabweans.
“The forum is gravely concerned with the current political developments in Zimbabwe which has resulted in uncertainty and fear among all people in Zimbabwe.
“Cognizant of the supremacy of the constitution,the forum wishes to state that the constitution of Zimbabwe provides for foundational values and principles upon which the country is established and these include supremacy of the Constitution,the rule of law,fundamental human rights and freedoms,good governance,recognition of and respect of the liberation struggle,among others.
“The forum calls upon all stakeholders to adhere to their constitutional mandates and to conduct their duties guided by our Constitution in a manner that reflects the resolve of Zimbabweans to live as equals in liberty, peace and harmony, free from fear and in prosperity, said Mukoko.
Other civic groups under the banner of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition also appealed for a peaceful and constitutional resolution to the current situation saying the political transition in the country must be guided by the constitution while adhering to all full tenets of democracy enshrined in it that include a multi-party democratic political system.
“We call for the peaceful and constitutional resolution of the situation and the immediate return of Constitutional order and democracy in Zimbabwe
“As civil society we reiterate our position that the political transition in Zimbabwe must be guided by the Constitution and should adhere to all full tenets of democracy enshrined in it that include a multi-party democratic political system.
“We condemn any actions, attempts and interests to attain state power outside constitutional provisions,” noted Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition in a statement released on Wednesday.
Meanwhile Election Resource Centre (ERC) has implored the military to immediately avail a clear road map towards the restoration of a civilian constitutional order by ensuring they abide by the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“In light of the recent events in the country where the military has reportedly taken control of critical state agencies and apparatus, the Election Resource Centre (ERC) calls on the people of Zimbabwe to remain peaceful,” noted ERC in a statement released on Wednesday.
ERC called on authorities to ensure non-interruption of the ongoing bio-metric voter registration saying the political environment should be conducive for free participation of all Zimbabweans in the 2018 elections.
