Full Statement:

The World Student Christian Federation and the World YWCA commend the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government for convening an urgent Summit to address the political and electoral impasse in Zimbabwe.

On March 29, 2008 the People of Zimbabwe peacefully exercised their sovereign right to choose their leaders and define the future of their country. The peaceful environment before and during polling owes much to the framework and processes laid out by the March 28-29, 2007 Extraordinary SADC Summit on Zimbabwe. We believe that your intervention at this critical time will help Zimbabwe find a just and long-lasting solution.

Today, 13 days after casting their votes, the people of Zimbabwe face an uncertain future. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) continues to refuse to announce the results of the elections. The Electoral Commission’s Headquarters has now been closed down without letting the people know the outcome of the presidential election. Whilst Zimbabweans and the rest of the world wait, the integrity of elections and holders of public office in Zimbabwe and the region have been seriously undermined. A dangerous lack of information is fuelling rumours, anxiety and tensions across the country. Churches and civil society are receiving reports of violence, intimidation, and military clampdowns in the rural areas. The deterioration of the situation has huge implications for women and young people, who are already struggling to meet the basic means of life with dignity.

Mindful of the recent bloodshed in Kenya, the WSCF and the World YWCA urge SADC to facilitate the restoration of the rule of law, and integrity of independent institutions with urgency towards the peaceful resolution of the political crisis. Specifically, we recommend SADC to:

1. Support and provide the necessary protection and guarantees that enable the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to announce the Presidential results that demonstrate the correct verdict of the people.

1. Urge the political parties to desist from interfering with the work of ZEC and enable ZEC to immediately announce results of the presidential vote taken on 29 March.

1. Hold accountable all those engaging in acts of political violence.

1. Urge police and army to be professional and non-partisan and to respect electoral processes.

1. Immediately deploy observers and peace monitors to Zimbabwe to help document human rights violations and observe any eventual electoral rerun or runoff.

1. Call upon the media in Zimbabwe to desist from using hate language and spreading falsehoods that may increase levels of intolerance and tension in the country.

1. Urge Zimbabwe to respect vote outcomes for all elections in accordance with SADC norms and standards.

1. Call on all Zimbabweans to resolve this political impasse peacefully.

About the World YWCA

The world YWCA is a global movement of women and young women leading social and economic change in 125 countries. It advocates for peace, justice, human rights and care for the environment, and has been at the forefront of raising the status of women for over a century.

About the WCSF

The World Student Christian Federation is a global movement of students working for dialogue, ecumenism, social justice and peace. Founded in 1895, the Federation brings together more than 2 million students in 105 national student Christian movements.

Website www.wscfglobal.org