FULL TEXT of elders or useless idiots?

Lakhdar Brahimi, Mary Robinson and Kofi Annan meet with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at their visit to Zimbabwe. July 2018. (Source: The Elders)

Elders urged Zimbabweans to give priority to the national interest, to reject violence at all stages of the electoral process and to work together to ensure a free vote fair and transparent on July 30th.

Kofi Annan Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson met the President Emmerson Mnangagwa the leader of the MDC Alliance Nelson Chamisa ] and other candidates for the presidency during a two-day visit to Harare organized with the support of the Kofi Annan Foundation.

Mary Robinson, Kofi Annan and Lakhdar Brahimi meet the leader of the MDC Alliance and presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa in Zimbabwe in July 2018. (Source: The Elders)

They welcomed the improvement of fundamental freedoms achieved in Zimbabwe since the end of 2017, and the repeated insistence of President Mnangagwa on free and fair elections.

Elders also praised the commitment of major political parties to respect election results and to abjure violence by signing peace. Commitment of June 26

The delegation also met with the President of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Judge Priscilla Chigumba and other commissioners of the ZEC; members of the diplomatic community; and civil society groups participating in the National Convention of the Citizen's Manifesto

Mary Robinson and Kofi Annan attend the Citizen's Manifesto in Zimbabwe in July 2018. (Source: The Elders) [19659004] Kofi Annan President of the Elders, the Kofi Annan Foundation and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, said:

"The next elections are the most important for Zimbabwe since independence. The country faces serious challenges that will persist regardless of the winner, it is essential that everyone act responsibly before, during and after the elections to ensure a violence-free Zimbabwe, where human rights are respected and prosperity restored. "

Seniors expressed concern about the polarization in society of hate speech towards female candidates and public servants, particularly about social media They urged the presidential candidates to show the example, to refrain from personal insults and to promote civil discourse in political and public life

They stressed that all Stakeholders are responsible for ensuring a free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process. respect the integrity of the ZEC.

They were pleased to see the progress of the last meeting of the Multiparty Liaison Committee (MPLC) regarding ballot papers, the Voters' Table and the organization of polling stations, and the hope The ZEC will be able to confirm these developments at the next MPLC meeting and will take all other necessary steps to build trust before the election.

Mary Robinson Former Irish President and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

"Zimbabwe is fortunate to have talented, eloquent and pbadionate people. We have been deeply impressed by the engagement of civil society groups in building a better future for their country, and the authorities and security services must continue to allow freedom of expression regardless of the outcome of the attacks. elections and not to return to past tactics of violence and intimidation. "

Lakhdar Brahimi Former Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Veteran of Liberation.:

" Les Elections are only one step on the road to national renewal. Candidates must consider themselves rivals, not enemies. The people of Zimbabwe can not afford more years of infighting, division and corruption; we are with them in their call for a better future. "