GIMAC calls on Geingob to promote legitimate elections in Africa

WINDHOEK, 06 JUN  – Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) representatives encouraged President Hage Geingob and other African leaders to ensure that peaceful and transparent elections are held on the continent as Zimbabwe is nearing elections.
Zimbabwean president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who succeeded Robert Mugabe, who stepped down in November last year, recently announced that Zimbabwe’s elections are scheduled for 30 July.
Speaking during a meeting with the Namibian Head of State here on Tuesday, GIMAC representative, Nyaradzayi Aumbonzranda called on Geingob to advocate for peaceful transition in Zimbabwe’s upcoming elections and on the continent.
Aumbonzranda is also the African Union (AU) Goodwill Ambassador on Ending Child Marriage and Chief Executive of the Rosaria Memorial Trust, while Geingob is the Vice-Chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“That will enable us (GIMAC) then to do all the social development, economic development, all the participation that we are talking about and definitely, we will stand by you and support you in SADC, at the AU as you continue to carry the responsibility of this award not only for your country,” said Aumbonzrada.
GIMAC awarded Geingob with the African Gender Award on Tuesday for Namibia’s legal and policy frameworks aimed to promote women’s rights, gender equality and the protection of women rights.
Geingob joins presidents Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, both in 2005, Paul Kagame of Rwanda in 2007, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique in 2009 and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in 2011 as recipients of the award.
On his part, Geingob noted that he had been in talks with both former presidents of Zimbabwe (Mugabe) and South Africa (Jacob Zuma) when there were calls for them to resign.
“So, we have been mapping out these things and we were more worried about the symptom because if it were a coup, it would be us to ostracise them first, that is why we are trying to avoid that.”
Geingob added that the Zimbabwean elections are very important “because it will legitimise the whole process, elections must be free and fair, they are also aware of it, that is all I can say”.
(NAMPA)