Brussels, 02/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - The EU congratulates the people of Zimbabwe for turning out in such numbers to cast their votes in the presidential elections of 31 July. It did not issue any statement, however, on Friday 2 August, the day when the African Union cautiously validated, but nonetheless validated, a largely disputed ballot, when Robert Mugabe's party had proclaimed its candidate the winner, with 70-75% support, just three days after the vote, even before the Zimbabwe electoral committee (ZEC) had published the official results.
In a statement published on Thursday 1 August by her spokesman, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton “commends the people of Zimbabwe for turning out in large numbers to cast their votes in what were broadly peaceful elections. She calls upon on parties to maintain calm and order as the results of the poll become known. The High Representative thanks SADC and the African Union for their efforts and encourages them to continue supporting the process”.
The statement reads: “The EU is following events closely, in close coordination with SADC, the AU and other observers including civil society in advance of the official results. It will await the assessment of SADC and the AU on the process and reported irregularities, as well as the Zimbabwe electoral commission's official announcement of the results, before announcing its own assessment”. While the opposition denounces a vote marred by irregularities, which were also noted by the AU observers, Olusegun Obasanjo, who heads the AU observers, said the elections were “free” and that the vote was credible unless evidence can be found to the contrary. (AN/transl.jl)