Ban expresses concern about Zimbabwe political situation

Accra, June 24, GNA - The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon has expressed
deep regret that despite the repeated appeals of the international community, the government of Zimbabwe has failed to put in place the conditions necessary for free and fair run-off elections.
In a statement released on his behalf, he noted that the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai from the Presidential elections represented “a deeply distressing development that does not bode well for the future of democracy in Zimbabwe”.
“The campaign of violence and intimidation that has marred this election has done a great disservice to the people of the country and must end immediately,” Mr Ban said in the statement released in Accra by the UN Information Centre.
It said: “The Secretary-General has discussed the situation with various leaders, including those of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“He strongly supports the statement of the Chairman of SADC that conditions do not exist for a run-off election to be held at this time and that they should be postponed.”
Mr Ban said the United Nations was prepared to work urgently with SADC and the African Union to help resolve this political impasse.
It said his envoy, Assistant Secretary-General Menkerios, remained in the region to assist