New diaspora group demands right to vote

By Henry Makiwa
10 December 2007

The Global Zimbabwe Forum (GZF), a new organisation that brings together exiled Zimbabweans, has demanded that the Mugabe regime allow millions of people in the diaspora to vote in next year’s crucial polls.

The GZF was officially launched in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the weekend at a meeting attended by about 150 exiles from across the world. The organisation, led by political and human rights activists, immediately called on Mugabe to recognise the millions of citizens living abroad and to ensure that they participate in the March elections.

Political analysts estimate that four million Zimbabweans are now based outside the country, after fleeing political persecution and the harsh economic environment.

The opposition has in the past called on Mugabe to allow exiles to vote, as prescribed in the SADC norms and principles for elections. Mugabe has however refused, saying his government did not have the resources to enable all Zimbabweans spread across the globe to vote.

It is assumed most exiles are supporters or sympathise with the opposition since they were forced into the diaspora as a direct result of Mugabe’s economic mismanagement and abuse of the rule of law.

Daniel Molokele, the GZF co-ordinator, said exiles should not be overlooked because they would be instrumental in ‘re-shaping the new Zimbabwe.’

He said: “As part of our resolutions we are calling upon civil organisations in Zimbabwe, together with the opposition and the ruling party which is ZANU PF, to value the importance of diaspora vote. We are relevant to the political and democratic transformation of our country and we should be involved by claiming our right to vote. We also call on Zimbabweans in various countries to take the call seriously and engage their host government to force the Zimbabwean government to agree to the demand of a diaspora vote.”

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