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Botswana: Parliament Condemns Zim Elections Fiasco
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Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)
11 April 2008
Posted to the web 13 April 2008
Oliver Modise
Parliament last night unanimously agreed to a motion without notice tabled by Gaborone Central Member of Parliament, Dumelang Saleshando calling for condemnation of the 11 day delay in the announcement of general election results in Zimbabwe.
The emergency motion was prompted by a report to Parliament by Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Phandu Skelemani, on the visit of incumbent President, Robert Mugabe's challenger, Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Saleshando called on Parliament to condemn the arrest of some members of the ZEC.
Saleshando also asked Parliament to urge the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union "to be proactive and urgently meet the leadership of the major political parties in Zimbabwe to forestall any violence that may erupt and take all necessary measures aimed at ensuring that the will of the people of Zimbabwe is respected".
Saleshando said a lot of Zimbabweans walking the streets of Botswana were not living a dignified life because of the electoral chaos in that country. He said the elections were not free and fair.
Countering the motion, Skelemani argued that there was little value in condemning the latest developments in Zimbabwe.
"Other than airing emotions, what can this motion achieve?" he asked. He further said that the issue was sensitive and better left to SADC.
"We can't tell the Zimbabweans what to do," he reasoned. Minister of Education, Jacob Nkate said opening the matter for debate could compromise the country's position as a possible mediator in calming the tension in Zimbabwe. Nkate said that the best position is to wait until the SADC summit organised for this weekend in Zambia.
"What is unfortunate is the timing," said Nkate. Although some BDP MPs wanted the motion struck off, the newly elected deputy speaker, Thebe Mogami, was also caught in a web struggling to adapt to Parliament's standing orders to accommodate the views on both sides of the debate.
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In the absence of Parliament's legal counsel, Lizo Ngcongco, the house had to adjourn to seek legal advise after Skelemani proposed that the motion be set aside.
Botswana National Front (BNF) MP, Olebile Gaborone, praised President Khama's support for a regional meeting to discuss Zimbabwe.
He said it was important for Parliament to also take a position on the issue. "Our voices have to be heard in the streets of Zimbabwe so that they know there are people who support them", he said.
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