Harare (New Ziana) – Switzerland’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Stephane Rey on Thursday applauded calls for peace and harmony by government ahead of this month’s general elections.

The calls have been led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has threatened to clamp down hard on anyone engaging in violence in the run-up, during and after the August 23 vote.

The country will be voting for a new president, and parliamentary and local government representatives for the next five years.

Speaking at a youth peace pledge signing ceremony, where youth leaders from all 11 contesting political parties vowed to refrain from violence, Rey commended the country’s leadership for preaching peace and harmony in their election campaigns.

In the past, elections were characterised by skirmishes, often stirred up by opposition parties to create grounds to dispute the outcome of the vote.

“The determination to preserve Zimbabwe’s peace and national unity is very encouraging and I am hopeful that the youth charter and peace pledge being signed today by youth wings from 11 political parties will mark the beginning of robust and peaceful debate amongst brothers and sisters towards ensuring violence-free elections and political environment in Zimbabwe,” Rey said.

“Elections should be an opportunity to engage in political debate over issues and perspectives and not a platform for trading insults and blows,” he said.

He commended all political parties contesting in the upcoming election for taking the peace pledge and said this was a strong indicator of political maturity in the country.

“I wish to congratulate and thank the young people present here today for reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful Zimbabwe. The promotion of peace is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders in any democracy, however, the symbolism of young people converging together and signing a pact and being seen by their leaders to speak peace to the nation and placing the nation ahead of personal ambition cannot be over emphasized,” he said.

New Ziana