‘Zim will not bar Obasanjo from polls’

ZIMBABWE has no reservations on former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo observing the harmonised elections under the auspices of the African Union. Addressing journalists after meeting President  Mugabe, AU Commission chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said Mr Obasanjo will arrive in the country tomorrow. She was accompanied to the meeting by  AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr Aisha Abdulla.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma said President Mugabe told her that Mr Obasanjo was welcome to observe the elections contrary to reports that government would not allow him into the country.

“He was very happy, he looks forward to welcoming (former) President Obasanjo but he is very busy with rallies,” she said, referring to President Mugabe.

“We all know that some people have been saying so (that President Mugabe had barred Obasanjo) but the President has no reason not to want him here,” she said.

There have been reports that government was trying to block Mr Obasanjo from observing the elections.
The meeting with President Mugabe is one of the AU observer team’s scheduled briefings with various stakeholders in Zimbabwe to get their views about the political environment ahead of the elections.

The team also met with presidential candidates Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and Zimbabwe Democratic Party’s Mr Kissinoti Mukwazhi.
Dr Dlamini-Zuma said the three candidates had expressed satisfaction with the poll preparations.

“As he (President Mugabe) is a candidate, we also spoke to him and he welcomed us and we also informed him that our team is here.
“He informed us as others have also that it’s very peaceful. The campaign is going on, parties are campaigning peacefully,” Dr Dlamini-Zuma said.

She, however, said other parties had raised concerns with logistical challenges faced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) during the special voting days as well as voter registration.

“We all hope that if all goes according to plan, the elections are peaceful. ZEC admits that there were challenges then but they are now more prepared,” said Dr Dlamini-Zuma.

The AU election observer team has a total of 70 members, some of whom have been in the country since June. – New Ziana.