Zim Needs A Peacekeeping Force Ahead Of Elections: Academic

Tony Reeler, an academic with the Research and Advocacy Unit has warned that Zimbabwe needs a peacekeeping force in order to reduce the chances of violence taking place during election season. Speaking at the SAPES Trust, Reeler said,

The broader playing field is extremely worrying. It requires security sector containment. The military must be brought under civilian control. Traditional leaders have already declared their allegiance. There must be a clear way in which their influence is contained. There is need for comprehensive monitoring, and we suggest we must set-up a multi-party co-operative monitoring process that watches what the military and the traditional leaders do. We do not only demand that the military and traditional leaders must make statements to the effect that they will abide by the constitution. As is the case in most situations after a military coup, there must be peacekeeping people. Peacekeeping forces will meliorate or minimise violence.

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