afrol News, 3 April - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been in a "relaxed" mood, the head of the African Union (AU) observer mission, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, confirms.

Mr Mugabe, who is seeking a difficult sixth term in office, has gone into hybernation since he cast his vote on Saturday.

He remains tight-lipped throughout, prompting rumours that he might have fled the country after sensing a crushing defeat at the polls.

But the 84-year-old leader was on Thursday seen on television holding meeting with the AU observers.

In the footage, Mr Kabbah who was the former Sierra Leone President, granted an interview, confirming that Mr Mugabe appeared in a "relaxed" throughout the meeting.

"He looked very relaxed. He is of the view that the problems facing the country will be resolved amicably. He hopes the rest of the results will be forthcoming," Kabbah said, downplaying criticisms, mainly from western powers and the opposition that the delay in announcing the results has been well-calculated.

He said the mission discussed the fact that "Zimbabwe is leading the world in terms of election," and that "it is the business of Zimbabweans to decide whom they want."

Mr Kabbah had confirmed to have earlier met the MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, whose party won the largest number of parliamentary seats.

Mr Tsvangirai's party was fed up with the delay and declared him the winner of the presidential, attracting swift reaction from the government.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) blamed the delay on the collation of the presidential results.

The AU team said the harmonised polls were conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner, commending the ZEC for making it possible for people to secretly cast their votes.

Several observer missions, including those from the Southern African Development Community, the East African Community and Pan African Parliament also endorsed the fairness of the polls.

In a statement, the AU mission praised electoral officials for exercising commitment, professionalism and efficiency, thus ensuring effective collaboration among contesting parties, their agents and security personnel during the conduct of the polls.

"The AU observer team would like to take the opportunity, at this stage, to commend the people of Zimbabwe for the manner in which they have comported themselves in relation to these elections and further appeal to them to continue to be patient while ZEC finalises the release of the results," said Dr Kabbah.

The team has held a number of consultations with stakeholders in Zimbabwe purposely to obtain relevant information necessary for the polls.

"The purpose of these consultations was to obtain relevant information that would lead to a clear understanding and appreciation of the political and social environment in which these harmonised elections were to be held as well as the legal framework and practical arrangements put in place for the conduct of the polls."

The leader of the East African Community mission, Clarkson Otieno Karan, endorsed the entire electoral process, but expressed concerned about delay.

"This country has good infrastructure, and two days after the elections, they should by now have announced even the senatorial results, but there is undue delay in the announcements" Mr Karan said, urging winners to be magnanimous in victory and losers to accept defeat graciously.

"Quest for power may destroy the country and it is incumbent upon the leaders to ensure that the country is peaceful," he said.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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