The South African Development Committee (SADC) extended its congratulations to Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa for overseeing peaceful and credible elections of the highest standard. SADC Chairperson and President of Angola, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, conveyed this message during the virtual SADC Extraordinary Summit on Tuesday.
In his address, Lourenço stated, “Your Excellencies, allow me to congratulate President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and His Majesty King Mswati III, the King of Eswatini, for the exemplary elections that were recently conducted in your countries. The tranquility and orderly manner in which they took place constituted a major victory for democracy and a significant contribution to peace, stability, and harmony among all living forces of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Kingdom of Eswatini.”
He continued, “Allow me to express our hope that this same spirit could also be seen in the elections that will take place in the Republic of Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
SADC’s official endorsement of the results from the Zimbabwean elections effectively laid to rest the various speculations and apprehensions raised by elements within the opposition camp and some media outlets aligned with opposition interests. These concerns had initially cast doubt on whether SADC, the Southern African Development Community, would express any positive sentiments regarding Zimbabwe’s electoral process.
Media reports, in particular, were instrumental in driving this narrative, which found support among opposition political parties. The prevailing conjecture suggested that SADC might take the unprecedented step of nullifying the election results and, consequently, push for a fresh round of elections in Zimbabwe. This conjecture gained momentum after the opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, dispatched a delegation to undertake a diplomatic tour across SADC countries. The objective of this diplomatic mission was to seek support for Chamisa’s cause, which hinged on contesting the election results and advocating for a reevaluation of the electoral outcome.
The SADC’s unambiguous endorsement not only affirmed the credibility of Zimbabwe’s electoral process but also dispelled any lingering doubts about the integrity of the election. In doing so, it underscored the organization’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and respecting the sovereignty of its member states. This move sent a clear message that, in this instance, SADC had full faith in the legitimacy of Zimbabwe’s electoral outcome and did not find any substantial grounds for intervention or dispute. It also demonstrated a commitment to ensuring the stability and continuity of democratic processes within the region.
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