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This article participates on the following special index pages:
New Constitution-making process - Index of articles
Statement
on the official launch of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission
(SEOM) to The Constitutional Referendum in The Republic of Zimbabwe
Dr Tomaz Augusto Salomao Executive Secretary
SADC
March 10, 2013
HONOROUBLE BERNARD
KAMILLIUS MEMBE, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA AND HEAD OF THE SADC ELECTORAL
OBSERVATION MISSION (SEOM);
THE ACTING-CHAIRPERSON
OF THE ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISION (ZEC);
ELECTORAL OBSERVATION
MISSIONS TO THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE;
YOUR EXCELLENCIES,
HEADS OF DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS ACCREDITED TO THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE;
MEMBERS OF THE
DIPLOMATIC CORPS;
LEADERS AND
REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES;
MEMBERS OF THE
CIVIL SOCIETY
ESTEEMED MEMBERS
OF THE MEDIA;
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
It is a privilege
and honor for me to welcome you to this gathering on the occasion
of the launch of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to
the Constitutional Referendum in the Republic of Zimbabwe, to be
held on 16 March 2012. I also take this opportunity to express our
appreciation and rejoicing for gracing this event through your presence.
Indeed, the
holding of the Constitutional
Referendum in Zimbabwe constitutes yet another significant milestone
towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the country, pre-requisites
for economic growth and sustainable development.
As you recall
one significant milestone achieved in the quest for peace in Zimbabwe,
under the facilitation of SADC, was the Global
Political Agreement (GPA), signed by the parties concerned on
15 September 2008.
We appreciate
the progress in the implementation of the GPA, of which the Draft
New Constitution that is going to Referendum by the Zimbabwean People,
in the next few days, is a true testimony.
Notwithstanding
the complexity of the constitutional reform process it is important
to recognize the great deal of work done by the Constitution Parliamentary
Select Committee (COPAC), which has officially adopted the Final
Draft Constitution of Zimbabwe, on 31 January 2013; so that the
Draft could be debated in the Parliament in February 2013. As a
matter of fact, it is our hope that the outcome of the Constitutional
Referendum will pave the way for creating an environment conducive
to hold elections that will be free and fair. Indeed, SADC Member
States have rooted and entrenched democratic values and practices;
therefore showing its commitment in enhancing Democracy and strengthening
democratic institutions in the Region.
In accordance
with the SADC Treaty and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing
Democratic Elections, the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe
invited the SADC to observe the Constitutional Referendum, scheduled
for 16 March 2013. To that effect, the Chairperson of the SADC Organ
on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho
Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, mandated
me, the Executive Secretary of SADC, to facilitate the process of
constituting and deploying SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM)
to the Constitutional Referendum in Zimbabwe.
This Constitutional
Referendum is of paramount importance for the process of consolidation
of the democracy in the country. In this regard, preservation of
peace and stability is essential; therefore the dissemination of
democratic values among all stakeholders and society in general
calls for responsibility of all stakeholders.
The presence
of SADC is once again to express solidarity and render the necessary
support to the ongoing democratic process in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Today's ceremony
equally marks another milestone in the continuous effort by SADC
to consolidate peace, security and political stability and to enhance
democracy in the Region. The ultimate goal is to eradicate poverty
through deeper regional integration, economic growth and sustainable
development.
The SADC Electoral
Observation Mission (SEOM) is here today to ensure that the provisions
of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections
are adhered to in the conduct of democratic elections.
In this regard,
the SEOM will deploy a sizeable number of Observers from the SADC
Member States as well as from SADC Diplomatic Missions accredited
to the Republic of Zimbabwe, thus, allowing the Mission to cover
extensively all electoral process in the country before, during
and after the plebiscite date.
In addition
to the SADC Treaty and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing
Democratic Elections, the conduct of the Mission will be guided
by the relevant legislation of the Republic of Zimbabwe and relevant
international instruments governing democratic elections, namely:
- the Constitution;
- the Electoral
Act;
- the Electoral
Code of Conduct;
- AU African
Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance;
- the Declaration
of Principles for International Election Observation; and
- the Code
of Conduct for International Election Observers.
Aiming at enhancing
reliability and validity of its findings, the SADC Electoral Observation
Mission will share information with other Electoral Observer Missions
in the country. In this respect, consultations with stakeholders
involved in the process will be ongoing and undertaken by the Mission
in order to be seized with the electoral environment and momentum.
As a matter
of fact, the SADC Region has made significant achievements in strengthening
the participation of citizens in the decision making processes and
consolidation of Democracy; democratic values, practices and institutions.
All SADC Member States' Constitutions enshrine principles of equal
opportunities and full participation of all citizens in the political
processes. To exercise the right to vote and to be voted for through
universal suffrage is a genuine way for the true participation of
citizens in the political process and the decision on their future.
Now, as we are
heading towards the 'polling day', the challenge and responsibility
to have peaceful, free and fair plebiscite lies in the hands of
the Zimbabwean People. The process must assure voters and all stakeholders
to honorably accept the people's verdict. We therefore encourage
the people of Zimbabwe to continue to demonstrate political maturity
and responsibility by respecting democratic principles and practices.
I am also pleased
to announce that as mandated by the Chairperson of the SADC Organ
on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, I as the Executive
Secretary have established an Office and designated my Secretariat
Officers to support the SADC Electoral Observer Mission and the
Head of the Mission. To that effect the activities of the SEOM will
be conducted here at: SADC PEACE-KEEPING TRAINNING CENTRE - RPTC
and RAINBAW TOWER HOTEL HARARE
In conclusion,
it is our hope that after the plebiscite observation exercise, we
will come together again here at the same venue for the Mission
to communicate its findings and Preliminary Statement.
With these remarks,
it is now my honor and privilege to introduce and invite the Head
of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the Constitutional
Referendum in the Republic of Zimbabwe, Honorable Bernard Kamillius
Membe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of
the United Republic of Tanzania and also Representative of His Excellency
Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania
and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security
Cooperation to now officially launch the Mission.
Muito obrigado
Thank you very much
Merci beaucoup
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