Progressio welcomes Zambian Bishops' statement on Zimbabwe situation

Bishops call for end to 'circle of violence' in run-up to Zimbabwe's June 27 elections

Zambian Catholic bishops have urged leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to take 'much stronger action' to quell the escalating unrest in Zimbabwe as the country edges closer to an election re-run later this month.

In a pastoral statement issued in the Zambian capital Lusaka last week, 11 bishops said free and fair elections could not be held in Zimbabwe's current atmosphere of 'intimidation, torture and abductions'.

'[Zimbabwe's]…electoral commission has lost all credibility going by the manner in which it conducted the March 2008 general election', the statement read, adding: 'for the run-off elections to be credible it is imperative to have international observers not only from SADC, AU (African Union), and EU but also from the United Nations. The rule of law must be re-established'.

The bishops - who are part of the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) - made a direct appeal to regional leaders to speak out in favour of a 'settlement of peace and justice', following widespread reports of attacks on Zimbabwean opposition supporters in the run-up to the June 27 poll.

'When we hear of so many casualties from violence, especially in poor rural areas, then we know that the rule of law has broken down", the statement says, adding that the next Zimbabwean President's first commitment must be to 'restore the law and order that protects the poor and defenceless'.

The bishops also point out that the suffering of the Zimbabwean people has not gone unnoticed in Zambia and applaud 'the great resilience and restraint' of 'our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe' in the midst of an 'extremely volatile political situation, harsh economic conditions and untold misery as a result of physical abuse.'

Progressio's advocacy coordinator for Africa, Dr. Steve Kibble, said: 'It is imperative that the Catholic community and regional leaders continue to speak out in support of free and fair elections in the run-up to June 27. The Zimbabwean people deserve nothing less.'

The pastoral statement is signed by ZEC president Bishop George Zumaire Lungu of Chipata, Archbishop of Lusaka Telesphore-George Mpundu, Archbishop of Kasama James Spaita and Emeritus Archbishop of Lusaka Medardo Mazombwe.

Other signatories include Ndola Bishop Noel O'Regan, Mansa Bishop Aaron Chisha, Mongu Bishop Paul Duffy, Monze Bishop Emillio Patriarca, Livingstone Bishop Raymond Mpezele, Mpika Bishop, Solwezi Bishop Alick Banda and Mpika Apostolic Administrator Robert Lavertu.