Gabriel Masvora, News Editor
THE United Kingdom and United States of America have pledged to continue working with the Zimbabwe Government in the aftermath of last week’s harmonised elections, adding that party leaders must ensure that there is no post-election violence.
In a statement yesterday, British Minister of State for Africa Ms Harriett Baldwin said UK remains a close partner of the Zimbabwean people.
“We will continue to work with the Government and the Zimbabwean people to support democracy and good governance, help with the country’s development, and promote regional security and prosperity. The UK remains a close partner of the Zimbabwean people in their quest for a better future,” she said.
Ms Baldwin said her country was encouraged that Zimbabweans turned out in record numbers to vote in the elections on 30 July, and particularly the increase in first-time voters, including many young, urban Zimbabweans, who found themselves excluded from previous electoral rolls.
She, however, said there were improvements that can be done to build further confidence in Zimbabwe’s electoral processes.
“We have urged all parties to work together to ensure calm. It is vital that any appeals against the results or the process are handled swiftly and impartially. All candidates have a responsibility to ensure their supporters act with restraint and avoid violence, while any challenges to the results are resolved,” she said.
Meanwhile, the United States government has also said it remains focused on working with Zimbabwe in all spheres.
In a statement on Friday, US Department of State spokesperson Ms Heather Nauert said those with grievances must pursue them peacefully and through established legal channels.
“We encourage all stakeholders and citizens to pursue any grievances peacefully and through established legal channels, and we encourage all political leaders to show magnanimity in victory and graciousness in defeat. The United States remains focused on working with Zimbabwe as its people and government strive toward still-needed comprehensive electoral, political, economic, and human rights reform,” she said.
Ms Nauert said the elections presented Zimbabwe with a historic chance to move beyond the political and economic crises of the past and towards profound democratic change.
“The Zimbabwean people turned out massively to cast their votes, underscoring their aspirations for a better future, despite challenges during the pre-election period.”
She condemned the violence that rocked Harare after the announcement of the elections results. The violence broke out after MDC Alliance supporters started demonstrating and storming shops. The violence led to the death of six people and President Mnagangwa has promised to set up a Commission of Iinquiry to establish what happened. She said her government will make a complete assessment of the election after reviewing the data provided by the country’s own observers, among other groups.