Gordon Brown urges world not to allow Mugabe to ‘steal elections’

By Tichaona Sibanda
16 April 2008

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday issued a powerful warning to the international community that the world must not allow the elections in Zimbabwe to be ‘stolen’ by Robert Mugabe.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council in New York, Brown said no one could believe that Mugabe had won the country’s disputed presidential election.

Reports from New York said the British premier urged the international community to rally behind the cause of democracy in Zimbabwe and to help it’s people build a better future.

‘No one thinks, having seen the result at the polling stations, that President Mugabe has won this election,’ he said.

‘A stolen election would not be an election at all. The credibility of the democratic process depends on there being a legitimate government.
So let a single message go out from here that we are and will be vigilant for democratic rights and that we stand solidly behind democracy and human rights for Zimbabwe and we stand ready to support the Zimbabwean people build a better future,’ he said.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also spoke at the meeting of his ‘deep concern’ at the uncertainty that had been created by the failure of the regime to announce the presidential election results more than two weeks since polling took place.

‘The situation could deteriorate further with serious implications for the people of Zimbabwe,’ he said.

South African President Thabo Mbeki, who listened impassively as Brown delivered his speech, chaired the session. The two men had been due to hold bilateral talks ahead of the Security Council session but they were cancelled after Mr Mbeki pulled out.