Fear for the people of Zimbabwe

Southern African Bishops are expressing their fear that prematurely held elections in Zimbabwe could bring more suffering upon the people of the nation. In a statement addressed to the President of the Southern African Development Community, the Catholic Bishops of IMBISA, lay out a series of concerns and a very particular plea to the political leaders of the SADC region. Speaking to Linda Bordoni, the President of IMBISA, Bishop Frank Nubuasah, said that the plea comes at a critical time in the life of the Zimbabwean Nation. He pointed out that the Global Political Agreement which led to the formation of Zimbabwe's Government of National Unity has not yet been fully implemented and that the process of formulating the new Constitution remains incomplete and is actually way behind schedule. Bishop Nubuasah also stressed the fact that the refendum on the Constitution must be held before the election and that the Voters' Roll must be updated. Another concern he pointed out is the lack of Freedom of Association and of the Media, and the fact that the polarized Nation is in the grip of extreme fear as there are increasing signs of intimidation and of violence as the election campaign builds up. Thus the Bishops of Southern Africa are calling on the SADC to be the agent that brings about an urgently needed recovery. This - he says - would bring with it the long-awaited development and integration of the region.
Listen to Linda Bordoni's full interview with Bishop Frank Nabuasah...