"Choose for each of your tribes individuals who are wise, discerning and reputable to be your leaders" -- (Deuteronomy 1:13)

Contact: Juan Michel, +41-22-791-6153 +41-79-507-6363, media@wcc-coe.org

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 25 /Standard Newswire/ -- Concerned about the integrity of elections, the World Council of Churches Central Committee stated recently that, "...in democratic systems, elections serve as a way for people to confer legitimacy on a participatory democratic political system. In order to ensure that an election truly reflects the will of the people, attention should be paid to pre- and post-electoral mechanisms."

Nearly one month ago on 29 March the people of Zimbabwe went to the polls to cast a vote for their future. Today they wait patiently but with growing apprehension while the Zimbabwe Election Commission continues to count and recount ballots. Each day that passes without the release of results reduces public confidence in the commission and in any results it may announce.

As the Zimbabwean people wait, there are repeated reports of organized violence against those who did not vote for the ruling party. What is happening in Zimbabwe raises new concerns that an electoral process in Africa is again being compromised by rigging and reprisals. Such actions must be stopped.

We support the call by church leaders in Zimbabwe for the United Nations and leaders of Africa and the Southern African Development Community to intervene and prevent a political crisis from escalating into mass violence. Meanwhile, a ship laden with weapons and ammunition recently purchased by the government of Zimbabwe has meandered up the coast of southern Africa in search of a port to offload its cargo. So far, Zimbabwe's neighbours -- churches, labour unions, arms control groups and governments -- have succeeded in turning this particular ship away. We commend them for stopping delivery of weapons likely to be used for violations of international law. The action is a demonstration of the SADC region's concern for arms controls. Further vigilance is needed, however, amid reports of similar arms deals destined for Zimbabwe at present.

Today the people of Zimbabwe suffer one of the highest unemployment rates in Africa, live with a 600,000 per cent annual inflation rate, daily shortages of food and fuel and now see added insecurity and an even more tenuous future.

The people of Zimbabwe have faithfully exercised their right to vote. An observer mission from the WCC and the All-Africa Conference of Churches was present and has issued its report. Initially the Zimbabwe government dignified the election by agreeing to measures that ensured a degree of transparency about outcomes at the local level. Now it is time for the government of Zimbabwe to step forward, declare the full and complete results of the election and act in accordance with the people's will. The longer the government remains silent about the real outcome of the election the greater the risk for the people of Zimbabwe and the future of their beloved country.

The World Council of Churches joins with churches across Zimbabwe in calling for the immediate release of the election results and for international support and action under the auspices of SADC, the African Union and the United Nations to achieve a peaceful resolution of this crisis.

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia
WCC General Secretary
25 April, 2008

Full text of the WCC Central Committee Statement on democratic electoral processes:
http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=5611

Previous WCC press release on the election process in Zimbabwe:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/article/1722/wcc-welcomes-summit-on-zi.html

WCC member churches in Zimbawe:
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/africa/zimbabwe.html

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.