AU SUMMIT, EGYPT - THE CHANCE FOR AFRICAN LEADERS TO TACKLE ZIMBABWE CRISIS

CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation and members of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) alliance are deeply concerned at events surrounding elections in Zimbabwe. The Mugabe regime’s gross violation of the human and democratic rights enshrined in the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights need urgent action by Heads of State and Government meeting at the African Union Summit in Egypt this week.

2008-06-29

“We urge African leaders speak out to demand a space be opened up so that civil society can play a role in tackling Zimbabwe’s current crisis – our voices are needed now more than ever, as millions of people face hunger through growing food insecurity,” said Adelaide Sosseh, GCAP Co-chair based in The Gambia.

“By suppressing legitimate dissent, Mr. Mugabe is leading his country and its people down a path of self destruction. It is the responsibility of every Member State in the African Union to urgently put a stop to Mr. Mugabe’s anti-democratic activities and protect the people of Zimbabwe,” commented Kumi Naidoo, GCAP Co-Chair.

Both alliances agree that the time for quiet backroom diplomacy has passed, and African leaders must play a more active role in resolving the crisis in Zimbabwe. GCAP’s coalition inside Zimbabwe is led by the National Association of NGOs (NANGO), whose latest statement asserts, “We call upon the relevant authorities to open up broad-based dialogue for the resolution of the political and electoral problems bedeviling the country and to create a framework that paves way for a new democratic dispensation acceptable to Zimbabweans, Africans and the world at large.”

“Political niceties cannot be an excuse to condone gross and flagrant violations of the rule of law. History will judge us harshly if we do not act now” said Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General of CIVICUS, urging all African leaders to agree on concrete action to restore a genuine democratic process in Zimbabwe as they meet at the African Union Summit in Egypt.

July 12 will be a PAN-AFRICAN DAY OF SOLIDARITY FOR ZIMBABWE mobilising people around the restoration of rights for Zimbabwe. For more information visit www.civicus.org and www.whiteband.org in the coming days.

For further information or to book an interview contact

Ciara O’Sullivan, GCAP Media Coordinator, Cel + 34 679594809 ciara.osullivan@civicus.org
Nastasya Tay, CIVICUS Media & Communications Officer Tel / + 27 118335959, nastasya.tay@civicus.org.
Inside Zimbabwe, contact Fambai Ngirande, Manager - Advocacy and Public Policy fambai@nango.org.zw, http://www.nango.org.zw/

Notes to Editors:

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is the world’s largest civil society alliance of social movements, International NGOs, trade unions, community groups, women’s organizations, faith and youth groups, local associations and campaigners working together across more than 100 national coalitions/platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, GCAP demands solutions that address the issues of; public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights; trade justice; more and better aid; debt cancellation and gender equality and women’s rights. www.whiteband.org

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international alliance of members and partners which constitute an influential network of organisations at the local, national, regional and international levels, and span the spectrum of civil society. CIVICUS has worked for over a decade to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, especially in areas where participatory democracy and citizens' freedom of association are threatened.

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AU SUMMIT, EGYPT - THE CHANCE FOR AFRICAN LEADERS TO TACKLE ZIMBABWE CRISIS

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