Britain says Zimbabwe’s political leaders must focus on moving the country forward

Britain yesterday said Zimbabwe’s political leaders must focus on moving the country forward with all parties rejecting violence, upholding the rule of law and putting the best interests of the country first.

This was said by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon in the House of Lords after he had been asked by The Marques of Lothian what the British government’s assessment of the current political and economic situation in Zimbabwe was.

“As highlighted in the international electoral mission’s reports, there remain significant shortcomings in the electoral system which must be addressed to build much-needed confidence in Zimbabwe’s democratic process,” Lord Ahmad said.

“It is vital that Zimbabwe’s political leaders focus on moving the country forward, with all parties rejecting violence, upholding the rule of law, and putting the best interests of the country first.

“Zimbabwe faces its most serious economic situation since 2008, with simultaneous cash, liquidity and fiscal crises.

“Without fundamental reform, the economic crisis will deepen. The UK stands ready to play a role in support of Zimbabwe’s recovery, but this must be on the basis of genuine political and economic reforms,” he said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday said Zimbabwe was open for business and dialogue and wanted to re-engage with countries and people outside and inside the country.

Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday told the Commission of Inquiry into the 1 August violence that he was open for dialogue and had written Mnangagwa five times requesting for dialogue.

Chamisa, however, said he did not recognise Mnangagwa as the President because he won the elections with more than 2.6 million votes while Mnangagwa polled just over two million.

Chamisa seemed to have a trying time when he was asked by one of the commissioners Chief Emeka Anyaoku yesterday whether there was no contradiction in that he was calling for dialogue but at the same time saying he did not recognise Mnangagwa despite the ruling by the country’s highest court.

Here is the exchange:

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