THE REINAUGURATION of Robert Mugabe as president of Zimbabwe was “illegitimate” and “an insult to democracy”, according to Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin.
The Zimbabwe leader’s “sham re-election” had come “after a campaign of violence and other gross abuses that made free and fair elections impossible”, he told the Seanad yesterday.
Responding, Independent Senator Shane Ross said: “As far as can be ascertained there is not a single ally in existence for this dictator yet he is still holding out. One wonders sometimes whether there really is the will in the African countries to topple this regime.”
Green Party Senator Dan Boyle said Mr Mugabe and his associates were using “every despicable means” to hold on to power.
“We have had a relationship with President Mugabe where we lionised him in earlier years.
“The tree he planted in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin was mentioned. He made great play of having been educated by Irish religious.”
Reading a statement, the Minister said: “The eyes of the world are focused with sorrow and disgust on the continuing tragedy in Zimbabwe.
“It is opportune, therefore, to place on the record of the House our shared and utter condemnation of that situation and our rejection of the sham re-election of Robert Mugabe after a campaign of violence and other gross abuses that made free and fair elections impossible and forced the withdrawal of Morgan Tsvangirai from the race.
“The principle of free and fair elections is the fundamental cornerstone of democracy. We in Ireland are fortunate in being able to take our democratic rights and freedoms for granted.
“ It is, therefore, all the more distressing to see the manner in which these precious rights, so clearly valued by the ordinary people of Zimbabwe, have been brutally trampled on.
“The obscene charade last Friday, marked by reports of terrified voters being herded to polling stations, was deeply distressing for all those endeavouring to promote peaceful change in Zimbabwe and concerned with the welfare of the Zimbabwean people.
“The reinauguration of Robert Mugabe on Sunday was an insult to democracy.”
The Minister’s statement concluded: “I know that all in this House agree that the Zimbabwean people deserve the opportunity – an opportunity which their country’s laws and institutions should guarantee – to exercise their right to choose freely who should lead their country, and to have that choice respected.
“We will continue to do what we can to highlight the issue and continue to work for change.”