NDI Staff Member Detained in Zimbabwe; ZANU-PF Demands Recounts for Several Parliamentary Seats
By Daniel Hollingsworth
April 4, 2008 | Printer Friendly

Zimbabwe in Context: Extensive background information on the situation in Zimbabwe

The BBC reports that in a party meeting at which ZANU-PF officially endorsed President Robert Mugabe’s participation in a presidential run-off, the party also called for recounts for 16 seats in parliament. Official results have shown that the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) defeated the ruling party in the vote, but a recount in these districts could potentially return ZANU-PF to the majority. Given past manipulation and rigging of elections by Mugabe and ZANU-PF, any reopening of the parliamentary vote would be cause for significant concern regarding the fairness of the result.

Fears of a crackdown on the opposition leading up to the presidential run-off vote have also found justification. The New York Times reports that a group of war veterans took to the streets on Friday, April 4 as a show of force in support of Mugabe. As CCD reported on April 3, MDC offices were recently raided by government forces, and two foreign journalists, including one from the New York Times, were arrested.

Additionally, the Washington-based National Democratic Institute (NDI) has issued a statement indicating that one of its staff members was detained while trying to leave Zimbabwe:

"NDI requests the immediate release of Dileepan Sivapathasundaram, a United States citizen and a senior program officer with NDI, who is being held by authorities in Zimbabwe. The Institute also calls on the Zimbabwe government to ensure his safety and safe passage from the country.

“Mr. Sivapathasundaram was taken by Zimbabwean authorities at the Harare airport as he was departing the country on Thursday, April 3, at 5 p.m. Harare time, according to eyewitness accounts. For about 22 hours there was no word from Mr. Sivapathasundaram, and police in the capital denied any knowledge of his whereabouts despite efforts by U.S. diplomats and Zimbabwean human rights lawyers to determine his location and status.

“At about 3 p.m. Harare time on Friday, April 4, the American Embassy was able to determine that Mr. Sivapathasundaram was being held at the Harare Central Police Station. U.S. diplomats and Zimbabwean human rights lawyers were allowed to see him briefly.

“Mr. Sivapathasundaram was in Zimbabwe as part of NDI’s work over the past several years to support the efforts of non-partisan civic groups to monitor the Zimbabwean election process. All of the assistance provided by NDI was in accordance with Zimbabwean law and international standards that recognize the right of non-partisan civic organizations to observe and monitor election processes. NDI has worked in Zimbabwe since 1999.”

References:

BBC News: Zanu-PF backs Mugabe for run-off

New York Times: Mugabe Will Fight On, His Party Says

National Democratic Institute Statement on Detainment of Dileepan Sivapathasundaram