The President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has agreed to allow Commonwealth observers monitor a parliamentary election he has called for next month. The announcement was made by the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon, who is visiting Harare. He expressed concern to Mr Mugabe about violence against the opposition, and the occupation of white owned farms.
The main opposition group in Zimbabwe has welcomed an announcement by Mr Mugabe that a general election will be held on the 24th and 25th of next month. The date was announced last night amid continuing political violence in which at least 20 people have been killed. The Secretary General of the Movement for Democratic Change, Welshman Ncube, said that the party was ready to contest the election, but that they had a number of reservations.
