On March 29th the courageous people of Zimbabwe voted for hope at the ballot box. It was with a heavy heart and knowing the many challenges we faced that we agreed to participate in the illegally delayed runoff election.

It is now generally accepted that the violence we have endured since March 29th is unprecedented. The persecution and harassment of the MDC and pro-democratic leadership is getting worse. This must stop. In the midst of all this, the people's cry for change on the 29th of March has been echoed around the world, bringing messages of solidarity and support from the United Nations Security Council, the African Union, the ANC, COSATU, SACP, a number of African liberation movements, African liberation heroes and heroines, and numerous other African leaders.

May I restate that by way of our letter to Honourabe Justice Chiweshe on the 23rd of June 2008 [see here], we have officially pulled out of what would otherwise have been a sham election. Our decision to pull out of the election has been supported within the region, continent and world over. We appreciate this support. We remain convinced, as is the rest of the world, that our decision to pull out of the election was in the best interest of the people of Zimbabwe.

Any election conducted arrogantly and unilaterally on Friday will not be recognized by the MDC, Zimbabweans or the world. The international community is united by its desire for the violence to end immediately and the will of the people of Zimbabwe to prevail.

As much and as soon as possible, the normal functioning of the Zimbabwean society must be restored. In our considered view, to address the immediate political, social and economic crisis facing us, four actions must be taken with immediate effect:

First, the violence must stop. All structures and infrastructures of violence must be withdrawn and disbanded. Towards this objective, amongst other things, war veterans, youth militia and others encamped on the edges of our cities, towns and villages need to be sent home and be reintegrated into society.  Unofficial roadblocks along the roads and highways must be disbanded. These camps and roadblocks are the checkpoints of violence. Violence must stop.

Second, humanitarian assistance must be allowed into the country immediately. Emergency food assistance from the United Nations World Food Program and other non-governmental organizations must again be allowed access throughout the country for food distribution and other urgent humanitarian assistance. No government should have anything to fear from humanitarian programs. Our people are starving and dying of preventable and curable diseases, and need immediate assistance. Third, all House of Assembly and Senate members elected on 29 March must be sworn in and convene urgently to conduct normal legislative business.

Fourth, all political prisoners must be freed immediately.

While these healing steps are being taken within the country, a longer-term sustainable political solution to the Zimbabwe crisis must be found immediately. The immediate humanitarian crisis and the long term economic crisis both have political roots. All parties and observers in Zimbabwe agree on that -- however much we disagree on causes of the political failure.

We have always maintained that the Zimbabwean problem is an African problem that requires an African solution. To this end, I am asking the African Union and SADC to lead an expanded initiative, supported by the United Nations, to manage the transitional process. We are proposing that the AU facilitation team, comprising eminent Africans, set up a transitional period which takes into account the will of the people of Zimbabwe. The African Union team would lead in the constituting and character of the transitional period. The transitional period would allow the country to heal. As the MDC, we have always said we will be magnanimous in our victory. Genuine and honest dialogue amongst Zimbabweans is the only way forward. The MDC is a people's project; we value our county and our people.

I want to emphasize that the basis of any settlement must recognize the fundamental principle of democracy, that is, the respect for the will of the people to choose their own leadership. Over and above this, the Zimbabwe political solution must recognize the following - stability, inclusivity, acceptability, and credibility. The sum total of all this is legitimacy. A negotiated political settlement which allows the country to begin a national healing and the process of a) economic reconstruction; b) provision of humanitarian assistance and c) democratization would be in the best interest of the country.

Due to the urgency of the situation I'm asking that the African Heads of State discuss this crisis at their meeting this weekend in Egypt. Let me be clear - this cannot be a part time mediation effort. Neither can it be a continuation of talks and talks about talks that have been largely fruitless for several years. The time for actions is now. The people and the country can wait no longer. We need to show leadership.

Let me say clearly that there is no discussion about moving forward without our Secretary General Tendai Biti who has been so instrumental in all of our plans and discussions. Tendai Biti is an indispensable asset of the MDC and the people of Zimbabwe. He must be released immediately.

In summary I am asking for the following toward the restoration of stability and democracy in Zimbabwe:

• The violence must stop immediately.
• Emergency humanitarian organisations must be allowed to operate freely and without hindrance throughout the country.
• All political prisoners must be freed immediately
• Parliament and Senate must be sworn in and begin working on the people's business.
• The AU and SADC-led political solution be set into motion at the AU Summit in Sharm el Sheikh this weekend.

To the Zimbabwean people let me say we have walked a long road together. But we are not alone. We have caring and concerned African brothers and sisters who in the last few months have demonstrated their commitment to the ideals we share.

It seems darkest at this moment but we must not give up. We are going to be the beacon of hope that Africa and the entire world will point to - your children will look back on these days and they will be proud of the sacrifices you and our brothers and sisters have made for a new Zimbabwe and a new Beginning.  In the spirit of the African renaissance, we and our allies throughout the continent sharing this struggle for democratic change can write a new chapter in African history.

I thank you.

May God bless Africa and may God bless Zimbabwe

Statement issued by the Movement for Democratic Change June 25 2008