MASERU, Lesotho, July 18 – President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday said Zimbabwe will have peaceful harmonised elections on July 31 based on the environment characterising the campaigning period, Zimbabwe’s news agency New Ziana reported.
Political parties contesting in the harmonised elections have intensified their campaigns by holding rallies which have all been peceful.
Addressing Heads of States and Governments on Tuesday at a state banquet held at Maseru Sun Hotel in honour of Lesotho King Letsie III who had turned 50 years, Mugabe said on-going preparations for the harmonised elections were progressing peacefully.
“The processes leading to our harmonised elections on the 31st of July are moving smoothly in full glare of SADC and African Union observers as well as those from well meaning countries,” he said.
Mugabe was making a speech on behalf of the leaders who attended the banquet ahead of birthday celebrations that were held at Setsoto stadium.
He said the peaceful electoral environment was a result of strong calls by leaders of political parties for supporters to desist from violence.
“As leaders of political parties in Zimbabwe we have been and still continue to call on our people to refrain from political violence and to maintain peaceful co-existence.
“I am happy to inform you that so far the electoral environment has been peaceful,” he said.
Mugabe said Zimbabweans remained committed to working with the region to further regional and continental unity.
He conveyed the bloc’s congratulatory message to King Letsie III and pledged to broaden relations between Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
“Fifty (years) is only half the journey of life so there are many more years and achievements to look forward to.
“Our presence here bares testimony to the mutual desire to strengthen our relations,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane thanked the regional leaders for coming to celebrate the King Letsie’s birthday saying their attendance was testimony of the good relations with other countries.
“Your people stood side by side with us in times of need. We knew that if you could be with us in those difficult times when in the normal of things friends are few, it would come natural to you to leave your capitals to come and share our special day of happiness,” he said.
Other regional leaders who attended King Letsie III’s birthday celebrations included Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Botswana’s Ian Khama, Zambian Vice President Guy Scott and Malawi Vice President Kumbo Kachali.
– BERNAMA
