Britain to use its leverage to secure a proper election in Zimbabwe

British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Tuesday his government would use its leverage and influence to secure a proper election and a proper democratic transition in Zimbabwe.

Responding to a question from Kate Hoey who had asked if Cameron had discussed the “deteriorating” situation in Zimbabwe at the European Council, Cameron said he had not.

He, however, said “we did hold a National Security Council meeting relatively recently, at which our high commissioner in Zimbabwe was present”.

“We have been working out how best to maximise the leverage and influence that we have in order to secure a proper election and a proper democratic transition….. However, we keep all these matters under review to ensure that we do all that we can to assist the transition that Zimbabwe so badly needs.”

Cameron did not say what the leverage and influence were.

Eyes are now turned on Zimbabwe following events in Egypt where an elected president was replaced by the military, a year after being elected.

The British Broadcasting Corporation’s Focus on Africa, last night even compared Egypt to Zimbabwe yet Zimbabwe has never had any military coup or unconstitutional change of government.

The Constitutional Court will today decide when Zimbabwe will hold its general elections which are currently scheduled for 31 July.

Special elections are due in 10 days.

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