Barack Obama Statement on Zimbabwe's Election

April 4, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary elections:

"On March 29th, millions of Zimbabweans went to the polls to choose their president and parliament. The resulting defeat of the ruling ZANU-PF party in parliamentary elections underscores the Zimbabwean people's rejection of the failed policies and the widespread suffering caused by Robert Mugabe's repressive rule.

Robert Mugabe protest balloon: Photo by Sokwanele (CC)

"The long delayed release of the results of the senate and presidential ballots by the Zimbabwean Election Commission has exacerbated suspicions that Mugabe will again manipulate the outcome. The election results should be announced without further delay. Yesterday's detentions, including of two foreign journalists, among them a reporter for the New York Times, and of an American staffer of the National Democratic Institute, further fuel tension. The government's raid on the offices of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change as well as today's staged march through Harare of so-called "war veterans" are provocative tactics designed to intimidate the opposition and Zimbabwean people.

"Zimbabwe now appears poised to hold a run-off election for the presidency, which Mugabe has vowed to contest. This election must be conducted in a fully transparent manner, free from intimidation and consistent with the rule of law. These elections have the potential to be truly historic, if indeed they are fully free and fair. Their conduct and outcome will determine if Zimbabwe's economic and humanitarian crisis is deepened, or if the door is finally opened to a new and more hopeful chapter in Zimbabwe's history."

Source: Senator Barack Obama

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