YOUNG COMMUNIST LEAGUE

"Building Youth Power for Socialism"

YCL Statement on Zimbabwean Crisis!

01 July 2008

The Young Communist League [Ufasimba] rejects the flawed and illegitimate Presidential elections outcomes which declared Robert Mugabe as the President of Zimbabwe.

As the YCL we strongly believe that there was no need from the Zimbabwean government including the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission [ZEC] to proceed with the Presidential elections held last week Friday under volatile and violence – torn political environment.

The YCL urges SADC and the AU to speedily facilitate a process for the establishment of a government of national unity, which will urgently deal with the adoption of a new constitution and put an end to the continued militarization of the youth to serve the political interests of the ruling ZANU – PF.

We strongly believe as the YCL that the mediation process facilitated by President Thabo Mbeki has failed to usher a political settlement given his vested political interests and bias towards Robert Mugabe which has compromised the opposition and ordinary Zimbabweans.

It is our contention as the YCL, that the Zimbabwean crisis or political impasse will not be resolved through the electoral route or contest. The Zimbabweans have tried to do so through their vote in the previous flawed elections, but those elections were stolen and rigged by the ruling ZANU – PF government in cahoots with the ZEC.

We call on Robert Mugabe for the sake of ordinary Zimbabweans particularly for the working class and the poor youth to create a conducive climate for democracy and the rule of law by stepping down as President of Zimbabwe. The people of Zimbabwe cannot be held hostage for wanting a different government from ZANU – PF.

The Zimbabwean crisis is a manifestation of a degenerating ZANU – PF, which used the State as a vehicle for accumulation by elites located in the State and who also have blind loyalty to Mugabe. This has led to the alienation of key voters from ZANU – PF, which has culminated into intimidation, torture, harassment and violence against those who hold different views or political beliefs. This is a tragedy and if not a farce for a once marveled and admired revolutions in the continent.

As the YCL we call on all young people and the progressive youth formations to rally behind the COSATU mass activities in our solidarity efforts of finding a lasting solution to this Zimbabwean impasse.

Issued by YCL

For more information contact:

Castro Ngobese

National Spokesperson – 083 670 1105