Zimbabwean elections must be free and peaceful, Secretary-General says

Parliamentary elections expected to take place in Zimbabwe early next year must be free, fair and peaceful, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed today.

In a meeting with Morgan Tsvangirai, the country’s Prime Minister, Mr. Ban underlined the need for the elections “to be fair, credible and free of violence and intimidation,” according to information released by his spokesperson.

Mr. Ban and Mr. Tsvangirai also discussed the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA), the 2009 accord that led to the formation of a unity government in the Southern African nation and an end to the political crisis that had followed previous elections.

During their meeting today the two officials also discussed the overall socio-economic situation in Zimbabwe.