Zimbabwe Archbishop Calls for Rising Up Against Mugabe Ahead of Elections

A Zimbabwean church leader has made a call for a peaceful uprising to begin against President Mugabe’s oppressive regime. The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo, Pius Ncube made the statement just days before the Zimbabwe elections are due to take place.

The Zimbabwe elections have been condemned already by rights groups who say that the political process in the country is already spoilt through years of violence and intimidation from Mugabe’s ruling government.

Ncube of Bulawayo, which is Zimbabwe’s second city, has even commented that he is ready to lead a march all the way to Mugabe’s residence, but said that he feared that if he did it that he would be doing it alone.

Associated Press report that Ncube said, "The people are so scared. You are not going to get that where people are so cowardly."

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party has ruled the country and been led by President Mugabe since 1980, and Archbishop Ncube has stated his belief that Mugabe will easily win the coming election on Thursday. However, he said that the reason for this will be because the elections will be overseen by Mugabe’s military and will definitely be rigged.

Ncube was also recorded as saying, "I hope that people get so disillusioned that they really organise against the government and kick him out by a non-violent, popular, mass uprising. Because as it is, people have been too soft with this government. So people should pluck up just a bit of courage and stand up against him and chase him away."

Even though Archbishop Ncube has been able to promote this outcry at Mugabe’s rule, he had had to be very shielded and careful as to where and how he had gone about it. Calls for "unauthorised" protests in the country are punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment via the Public Order and Security Act, which the Mugabe regime implemented.

In addition the Archbishop of Bulawayo accused Mugabe of refusing desperately needed aid to opposition supporters in rural areas. Ncube pointed out in the region of Filabusi, south of Harare, more than 200 hungry families were turned away when requesting aid.

One of the most anxious worries of the Archbishop was the need for a leader that could help to gather and direct the efforts to rise up against Mugabe. Ncube said, "We do not have a leader to lead us. We need someone who is courageous. People must be ready even to risk losing their lives; everyone wants to keep safe."

The Zimbabwe elections will take place on Thursday, with many international leaders condemning the Zimbabwean "tyrannical" government and joining the Archbishop’s calls for the people to use this opportunity to rise up.