June 17, 2008 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation has signed an open letter from leaders, organisations and individuals in Africa calling for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe on June 27.
“We are profoundly concerned by the situation in Zimbabwe and would like to join all freedom-loving people who have added their voices to the growing world-wide call for true democracy there and urge others to do the same,” said Achmat Dangor, chief executive officer of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
“As our mission statement says: ‘The Nelson Mandela Foundation contributes to the making of a just society by promoting the vision, values and work of its Founder’,” said Dangor, who signed the letter on behalf of the organisation.
The Foundation joins leaders including Graça Machel, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Kofi Anan, Zwelinzima Vavi, Benjamin Mkapa and Festus Mogae in endorsing the letter.
The link to sign up is: http://www.zimbabwe-27june.com/
The letter reads as follows:
“It is crucial for the interests of both Zimbabwe and Africa that the upcoming elections are free and fair.
Zimbabweans fought for liberation in order to be able to determine their own future. Great sacrifices were made during the liberation struggle. To live up to the aspirations of those who sacrificed, it is vital that nothing is done to deny the legitimate expression of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
As Africans we consider the forthcoming elections to be critical. We are aware of the attention of the world. More significantly we are conscious of the huge number of Africans who want to see a stable, democratic and peaceful Zimbabwe.
Consequently, we are deeply troubled by the current reports of intimidation, harassment and violence. It is vital that the appropriate conditions are created so that the Presidential run-off is conducted in a peaceful, free and fair manner. Only then can the political parties conduct their election campaigning in a way that enables the citizens to express freely their political will.
In this context, we call for an end to the violence and intimidation, and the restoration of full access for humanitarian and aid agencies.
To this end it will be necessary to have an adequate number of independent electoral observers, both during the election process and to verify the results.
Whatever the outcome of the election, it will be vital for all Zimbabweans to come together in a spirit of reconciliation to secure Zimbabwe’s future.
We further call upon African leaders at all levels – pan-African, regional and national – and their institutions to ensure the achievement of these objectives.”