Zimbabwe Withdraws UN Election Fund

By SAPA-AFP

HARARE – Zimbabwe has withdrawn its appeal for UN funds to help hold key elections this year, after the world body demanded to meet civic groups, a cabinet minister said yesterday.

“The conditions set by the team are unacceptable,” Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa was quoted as saying by the state news agency New Ziana.

“The UN avenue for sourcing resources for elections is now closed, we have to look for local funds for our elections.”

Zimbabwe had approached the UN for help with financing the elections, which are due later this year, though a date is yet to be fixed.

To consider the request the UN wanted to undertake an assessment mission to the country on Wednesday last week. But Chinamasa blocked the mission, saying the team had overstepped its mandate, after indicating they intended to meet civic society groups as part of their assessment.

“We remain alert to any attempts to manipulate our internal processes.” The country needs $132-million (R1.2-billion) for the polls.

Posted by Editor on April 19, 2013. Filed under AFRICA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry