Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Harare (Agenzia Fides) - Representatives from the Christian Churches in Zimbabwe have launched an appeal to the international community, asking that they intervene in their country’s crisis. In a statement sent to Agenzia Fides and signed by the Zimbabwean Bishops’ Conference, leaders of various local Christian groups affirmed that the delay in the release of the March 29 election results has caused, “political uncertainty, anxiety and frustration” among the country’s citizens.
In the document, they condemn the political violence “perpetrated against individuals, families and communities who are accused of campaigning or voting for the ‘wrong’ political party...particularly in the countryside and in some high density urban areas. People are being abducted, tortured, humiliated...ordered to attend mass meetings where they are told they voted for the ‘wrong’ candidate and should never repeat it in the run-off election for President, and, in some cases, people are murdered.”
The political violence is worsening the conditions of people’s lives: “There is widespread famine in most parts of the countryside... The shops are empty and basic foodstuffs are unavailable. Victims of organized torture who are ferried to hospital find little solace as the hospitals have no drugs or medicines to treat them.”
The Christian Churches of Zimbabwe are asking the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union, and the United Nations “to work towards arresting the deteriorating political and security situation in Zimbabwe. We warn the world that if nothing is done to help the people of Zimbabwe from their predicament, we shall soon be witnessing genocide similar to that experienced in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and other hot spots in Africa.” They also request the closing of veteran/military base camps that have been set up in different parts of the country as, “a step towards restoring the peace and freedom of people’s movement that was witnessed before and during the March 29, 2008 elections.” The local Christian leaders ask that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission “release the true results of the presidential poll of March 29, 2008 without further delay.”
Their last word is dedicated to the people of Zimbabwe, commending them for exercising their democratic right peacefully and encouraging them to “maintain and protect your dignity and your vote,” rejecting all forms of threat, blackmailing, and violence. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 22/4/2008 righe 31, parole 372)
