Harare - Zimbabwe’s Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged the clergy to pray for peace ahead of the 2018 elections to avoid a repeat of a wave of political violence that have marred the country’s polls since 2002.
Human rights groups’ election monitoring watchdogs have warned there are already ominous signs next year’s polls will be no different following a rounds of violence in recently held by-elections.
“As we prepare for the elections in 2018, I appeal to the entire church and Zimbabweans at large to pray and live in peace, love and harmony,’’ Mnangagwa is quoted saying by the state owned Herald.
“Our God is a God of order who thrives where there is order. It is in this spirit that I challenge all churches and religious denominations to preach peace, tolerance and productivity of our great nation.’’
Over 200 opposition supporters lost their lives during the period running up to the violent presidential run-off election held on June 27, 2008 that left several others displaced.
MDC T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai had won the first round of balloting in March against President Robert Mugabe, but the results were not enough to send him to State House, resulting in the holding of a run-off poll.
A violent run-off election campaign, blamed on Zanu PF supporters and state security agents, followed forcing Tsvangirai to pull out of the polls.
Mugabe won the run-off uncontested, but the results were disputed, forcing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to intervene, resulting in the formation of a Government of national unity in February 2009.
