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Zimbabwe elections not feasible in 2012
Tichaona Sibanda, SW Radio Africa
January 23, 2012

http://www.swradioafrica.com/2012/01/23/zimbabwe-elections-not-feasible-in-2012/

Elections in Zimbabwe are not feasible this year because of the absence of key reforms, particularly in the security and electoral sectors, a leading pro-democracy activist has said.

Dewa Mavhinga, the regional coordinator for the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition based in South Africa said there is a litany of individuals who have a clear partisan stance who must be weeded out from some of these sectors.

There is a strong call from other political parties, apart from ZANU PF, to reform the military and security establishment, which they accuse of meddling in the country's elections.

"SADC, as a regional bloc has taken a clear position that elections in Zimbabwe will not take place without reforms and I don't see their stance changing," Mavhinga said.

Mavhinga told SW Radio Africa on Monday that the Zimbabwe crisis will be discussed by SADC leaders on the sidelines of the African Union summit due to start in Ethiopia this week.

The meeting by the regional leaders will also focus on issues troubling other SADC nations like Malawi, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"Despite Mugabe trying to sweet talk the current AU chairman (Teodoro Obiang Nguema) the continental body, as guarantor of the Global Political Agreement, is unlikely to support any foolish notion of Zimbabwe elections outside of reforms and full agreement and SADC endorsement," Mavhinga said.

He continued: "What the AU needs to do is send a team to Zimbabwe to monitor as tensions flare up and war vets attempt to disrupt the constitutional reform process."

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