Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have raised alarm over the likelihood of political and economic crisis ahead of the 2023 general elections.
In a statement after a virtual meeting with African and international Diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe and South Africa on the continued economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe the two civic society organisations raised concern over the closure of democratic space.
“During the meeting, the Crisis Coalition and Human Rights Watch noted with concern the closure of the democratic space in Zimbabwe which has been characterized by arbitrary arrests of civic society and opposition activists, lengthy pre-trial detention of pro-democracy activists and draconian legislation meant to entrench the ruling party, Zanu PF’s authoritarian rule.
“Other issues highlighted to the diplomats include weaponization of the judiciary to persecute pro-democracy activists, subversion of the people’s will through recalls of Parliamentarians who won elections on the MDC Alliance ticket as well as continued harassment of human rights campaigners by activists aligned to the ruling party Zanu PF,” read the statement
During the meeting the statement says CiZC and HRW noted that chances are high that political and economic crisis will worsen.
“Crisis Coalition and Human Rights Watch noted during the meeting that as Zimbabwe heads for the 2023 elections, there is a high likelihood that the political and economic crisis in the country will worsen especially given the military involvement in political processes.
“As part of efforts to unlock the Zimbabwean crisis, Rashid Mahiya (CiZC chairperson) highlighted the urgent need for a multi stakeholder dialogue adding that there should be a clear roadmap for political, economic, electoral and institutional reforms as well as a clear implementation matrix of the reforms.
It adds “Another proposal highlighted during the meeting was that the government of Zimbabwe should implement the recommendations of the Motlante Commission which recommended that perpetrators of the August 1, 2019 shootings should be brought to book.”
