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Head of Zimbabwe election observer mission faces criticism
Angola Peace Monitor
May 15, 2008

Angola's Minister of Youth and Sport, Jose Marcos Barrica, has come under some criticism for his role as the head of the SADC Observer Mission to the Zimbabwean elections that were held on 29 March. Barrica stated on 31 March that the elections were "peaceful and credible" and that the process was "characterized by high levels of peace, tolerance and political vigour by party leaders, candidates and their supporters".

Barrica also pointed out that the elections had been held in line with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, including the use of translucent ballot boxes and polling stations opening and closing on time. He did, however, raise concerns about the state controlled media, voter education, and the "irresponsible statements" by security chiefs that they would not salute a "puppet" - referring to Morgan Tsvangirai.

One of the biggest criticisms relates to the remit of the observer mission, which finishes with the counting of the votes at the polling stations. This meant that it did not observe or comment on the central collation and publication of the results. It was, in fact, this part of the process that has proved to be the most contentious part of the electoral process, with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission delaying the results of the parliamentary elections, and even refusing to reveal the results of the presidential election during the whole of April.

However, Barrica was recalled to Zimbabwe on 18 April to observe the recounting of the votes that took place in 23 voting stations. Barrica was made the head of the SADC observation mission to Zimbabwe as part of Angola's role as current co-ordinator of SADC's Organ of Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Despite having traditionally being seen as a close ally of the ruling ZANU-PF, there are signs that the Angolan government has been playing a balanced, pragmatic role in the behind the scenes manoeuvring during the post election period. Observers at the SADC heads of state meeting in Lusaka on 12 April noted that President Jose Eduardo dos Santos did not come out in support of Mugabe.

This is in stark contrast to some reports in the media that Angola has offered military aid to Mugabe. Insiders state that media portraits of "supporters" of Mugabe are inaccurate caricatures, and that leaders such as President Guebuza of Moz ambique are critical of Mugabe's intransigence within closed meetings and publicly support the mediation efforts of President Thabo Mbeki. Following the SADC meeting, President dos Santos received messages from both the US and Zimbabwean Presidents. On 25 April he gave a short audience to the US assistant secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, and also met with his Zimbabwe's Minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities, Emmerson Mnangagwa. Both brought messages from their presidents, the contents of which have not been made public.

Coincidently, on 25 April the Angolan government announced that it would allow the Chinese ship An Yue Jiang to unload some of its cargo at Luanda port, but not to unload the shipment of arms destined for the Zimbabwean army. The shipment of arms hit the headlines when dockworkers at the port of Durban refused to touch the cargo, forcing the ship to flee harbor before a court injunction could be served on it. The whereabouts of the ship is currently unknown.

Meanwhile, the president of UNITA, Isaias Samakuva, met with other members of the "Windhoek Dialogue" group of "centre-right" political parties to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis. Other members of the group include representatives of the Inkhata Freedom Party (South Africa), DTA (Namibia), and RENAMO (Mozambique).

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