Pretoria – The Summit of the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation has urged Zimbabweans to participate in that country's upcoming referendum in order to pave the way for the holding of peaceful and credible elections.
Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Dr Augusto Tormaz Salomao on Saturday said the Summit called on the parties to the Global Political Agreement (GPA) to continue to work together towards creating a conducive environment for the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe.
He said the Troika will continue to monitor developments in Zimbabwe, adding that the Summit commended and congratulated the parties to the GPA for completing the constitution making process which created conditions for holding a referendum scheduled for 16 March 2013.
The Summit on Saturday received a report from President Jacob Zuma, who is the SADC Facilitator of the Zimbabwe Political Dialogue. The Summit further endorsed the report and its recommendations
With regard to the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, Zuma said he had met with the Zimbabwean political parties and they were looking forward to the elections.
“At the moment, the parties have indicated that they are ready for the referendum,” he said, adding that he had held discussions with President Robert Mugabe.
The Summit further noted that a SADC Election Observer Mission will be launched in Zimbabwe on 10 March 2013.
The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security is managed on a Troika basis and is responsible for promoting peace and security in the SADC region.
It is mandated to steer and provide Member states with direction regarding matters that threaten peace, security and stability in the region.
It is coordinated at the level of Summit, consisting of a chairperson, incoming chairperson and outgoing chairperson, and reports to the SADC Summit chairperson. - SAnews.gov.za
