Zimbabwe Election Update

Nearly three weeks have passed since Zimbabwe's March 29 elections and full results are still pending. Despite our combined efforts to ensure that South Africa, which currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council, take a lead in mediating in the crisis, few concrete steps have been made to halt the current and escalating unrest in Zimbabwe. At an extraordinary meeting of the South African Development Community (SADC) in Zambian capital Lusaka on Saturday, South African President, Thabo Mbeki, opted for "quiet diplomacy". He now looks unlikely to lead a SADC response to the situation.

Zambia and certain members of South Africa's ruling ANC party are however beginning to openly criticise the lack of effort being made by Zimbabwe's neighbours to quell the campaign of violence and intimidation being used to ensure a ZANU-PF victory. Jacob Zuma, ANC president, yesterday made clear that the situation poses a very real threat to regional security. 'The region cannot afford a deepening crisis in Zimbabwe' he said. 'The situation is more worrying now given the reported violence that has erupted in the country'.

If you'd like to show your continued support for the people of Zimbabwe join ACTSA's demonstration in London on 18 April 2008.