afrol News, 14 July - The United Nations has sharply reacted to comments attributed to Zimbabwe's Permanent UN Representative, Boniface Chidyausiku, accusing the Secretary General of being bias towards the crisis-laden Southern African country.

Ban Ki-moon's Spokesperson described the comments as "highly inappropriate and unacceptable."

"There is nothing one-sided about defending the right of the people of Zimbabwe to choose a legitimate government in a free and fair election," Mr Ban's Spokesperson said in a statement.

Chidyausiku was not at ease with the UN Chief's criticisms on the outcome of the 27 June president poll re-run which was held despite international widespread international calls for postponement because of the high level of violence and intimidation. Mr. Ban saw President Robert Mugabe's re-election in a single contest as "illegitimate."

"The outcome did not reflect the true and genuine will of the Zimbabwean people or produce a legitimate result. The Secretary-General has said repeatedly that conditions were not in place for a free and fair election and observers have confirmed this from the deeply flawed process," the Secretary General's Spokesperson defended.

"The Secretary-General will continue to support efforts to promote talks between both sides in Zimbabwe that can lead to a democratic transition and economic recovery for the people of that country."

On Friday, China and Russia vetoed a draft resolution that would have slapped sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and 13 other individuals by the Security Council, much to the shock of Britain and its allies. But Britain is now banking on the European Union to punish Zimbabwean official who have also received the backing of South Africa, Libya and Viet Nam.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories