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Senior Reporter
WORLD leaders from Africa, Latin America and Europe yesterday congratulated President Mugabe and Zanu-PF for the landslide victory in last week’s harmonised elections with some urging the United States and countries in the EU bloc to lift the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. In a statement yesterday, Zambia’s acting president, who is that country’s Finance Minister, Mr Alexander Bwalya Chikwanda, said the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the United States and EU, had “outlived their usefulness.”
He said the sanctions must be lifted in the interests of common humanity and fellowship.
The US and EU countries imposed the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2000 at the instigation of Britain, which was clearly not happy with the country’s successful land reform programme. The illegal sanctions were imposed to influence the outcome of the 2002 presidential elections won by President Mugabe.
The embargo, however, received condemnation from progressive forces across the world, including the African Union, Sadc and the Non-Aligned Movement.
The sanctions were imposed illegally by the EU and the United States as they were imposed outside the United Nations processes.
Mr Chikwanda said it had become morally implausible to maintain eternal exclusion of Zimbabwe from the international community.
“The illustrious, diligent and resourceful people of Zimbabwe should be allowed free opportunity to prosper and make a useful contribution to overall global prosperity,” he said.
Mr Chikwanda congratulated Zimbabwe for holding peaceful and credible elections.
“We also appeal to Zimbabweans to remain calm and united as they forge ahead for enhanced economic prosperity,” he said.
Mauritius Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam described President Mugabe’s re-election as “well deserved”.
“I am convinced that your impressive victory and that of your party, Zanu-PF, will usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for your people,” PM Ramgoolam said.
“I seize this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to further strengthen the existing friendly ties between our two countries. I convey to you my best wishes for your personal well being and that of the people of your country.”
Saharawi leader Mohamed Abdul-Aziz said President Mugabe’s victory dealt a major blow to Western machinations who wanted to stop the “revolutionary march”.
“This victory is not only for Zanu-PF and for the Zimbabwean people who sacrificed for a long time for this freedom and dignity, but also for many other people who share the same principles with them like the Saharawi people who are still looking to breathe the breeze of freedom and independence as their country remains that last colony in Africa,” he said.
Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan urged President Mugabe and his party to continue working for the well-being and progress of all Zimbabweans.
In a statement by the special adviser to the president, Reuben Abati, President Jonathan called on President Mugabe to ensure that all persons and parties who oppose the conduct of the polls and the announced results are given every opportunity to seek lawful redress as allowed by the country’s electoral laws and constitution.
In a communiqué from the Foreign ministry, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro said the elections were peaceful and orderly.
“Thus, following late President Commander Hugo Chavez’s efforts for a multi-polar world, the Venezuelan authorities reiterate their commitment to cooperate with and complement the government and people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continue working with Zimbabwe to foster relations of friendship and cooperation.
“I am confident that this fully meets the interests of both Russian and Zimbabwean people, goes in line with promotion of stability and strengthening the security on the African continent. I wish you, Mr President, good health and every success in fulfilling your most important state duties,” he said.
Other Sadc countries such as South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia and the DRC as well as Kenya have also sent their congratulatory messages to President Mugabe on his re-election.
Sadc and AU observers who were in the country to monitor the elections endorsed the polls as free and fair. President Mugabe won overwhelmingly by 61.09 percent in a peaceful plebiscite that also saw Zanu-PF surpassing a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Mr Tsvangirai polled 33,94 percent while MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube accounted for 2,68 percent of the vote. Zapu leader, Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and Zimbabwe Development Party president, Mr Kisinoti Mukwazhe only managed 0,74 percent and 0,29 percent of the valid vote respectively.
Meanwhile, the United States has said it would not lift sanctions against Zimbabwe claiming the elections were not credible. According to a SABC report yesterday, the US State Department hinted that lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe was unlikely.
“We do not believe these results were a credible expression of the will of the Zimbabwean people,” said the US State Department spokesperson, Ms Marie Harf.
At the weekend, the US Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry issued a statement alleging that the polls were marred by substantial irregularities.
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