Harare February 20, 2018 (New Ziana)-The African Union (AU) will assist Zimbabwe to hold harmonized elections later this year through mobilizing both financial and technical support, a senior official said on Tuesday.
AU commission chair Moussa Faki told the media at the end of his three-day visit, that the AU had a responsibility to assist Zimbabwe to conduct elections in order to ensure peace and stability in the country.
“The African Union is ready to support Zimbabwe in the electoral process. The support that the African Union gives to its member states during a period of transition and also when preparing for elections is technical support in form of expertise from the AU Organ for Political Affairs so that they can work together. Normally the team will be send some 45 days before the elections so that these experts can work together with the body in charge of organizing and holding elections in the country,” he said.
“We at the same time mobilize partners so they can also help in financing the process and also give technical assistance or both at the same time,” he said.
Faki also commended Zimbabwe for the peaceful transition last year.
“We have said that and everybody has noted that the transition in the country has been a peaceful transition according to the laws of the land and it is the responsibility of the AU to support and complement such situations in order to ensure that there is peace and stability in the country. All others have to respect the sovereignty and the decision of the country,” he said.
Faki and the AU team also met former president Robert Mugabe at his residence.
“He (Mugabe) explained why he had resigned that it is for the peace and development of the country,” he said.
Zimbabwe goes for polls later this year, the first that ousted former President Mugabe will not participate in.