Despite outside pressure, Zimbabwean activists and analysts fear long-time President Robert Mugabe is attempting to break out with stealing another election. Activists say they need help before this is too late.
Zimbawean protesters had been holding monthly protests around the globe this year, equivalent to one recently here in Washington, outside the South African Embassy.
South African President Jacob Zuma is the major mediator of the continuing political crisis in Zimbabwe, four years after an accord referred to as the worldwide Political Agreement (GPA) was signed to make sure reforms and free and fair elections.
A national unity government was arrange, but protest organizer Den Moyo says there was no progress on reforms.
"We say Mr. Zuma as we stand here as Zimbabweans, we're calling upon you to apply the powers vested in you because the mediator of the GPA in Zimbabwe with the intention that there's a road map to free and fair and indisputable elections," said Moyo.
One stipulation is that there has to be constitutional change before a higher round of voting. The Africa director on the Wilson Center in Washington, Steve McDonald, says President Mugabe is making an attempt to get re-elected once possible, so he may attempt to convince South African mediators to alter their view at the need for constitutional reform.
"He desires to get beyond the ability-sharing arrangement," said McDonald. "He's stressed from the South Africans who've declared that they'll not recognize or work with him if the preparations for the election don't precede it and the primary thing there's the constitutional referendum."
At recent celebrations marking 32 years of Zimbabwe's independence and his power, the 88-year-old president called on political parties to head beyond the violence of new elections.
"We must take absolute care and caution and confirm that the fights of yesterday are buried before," said Mugabe.
Mugabe has denied rigging previous elections. He has said he should stay in power to correct the wrongs of previous white minority rule and make sure the economic empowerment of Zimbabweans.
Back in Washington, Nyare Joe sang opposition protest songs. She said Zimbabweans inside Zimbabwe usually are not free to query anything associated with Mr. Mugabe or his ZANU-PF party.
"i would like everybody even in my country on the way to do anything, once it's a free country," said Joe. "Mugabe - now you can not discuss the name of Mugabe otherwise you visit jail. You can not even laugh when ZANU-PF is there, otherwise you visit jail."
The protesters warned if there isn't more pressure against President Mugabe, he would remain in power so long as he's still alive, through stalling tactics or rigged and violent elections. Â
Efforts to reform the constitution have gone slowly, while no date was set for the looming presidential and legislative election.
From WhatNewsToday.net
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