launch of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) to the 30
July, 2018 Harmonised Elections in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our Mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe was at the invitation of the
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). This practice is in conformity
with the SADC Treaty; the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and
Security Cooperation and the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines
Governing Democratic Elections (2015).
To this end, His Excellency Joao Manuel
Gon~alves
Louren~o.
President of the Republic of Angola, and Chairperson of the Organ on
Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, constituted the SADC
Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) and mandated the Executive
Secretary of SADC to prepare the logistics for its deployment of the
SADC Electoral Observation Mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
SADC attaches great importance to Zimbabwe as one of its founding
members. Given the political and economic challenges Zimbabwe has
faced in the past two decades, we attach even greater significance to
the potential of the 2018 Harmonised Elections to enable sustainable
political and economic prosperity.
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