Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had at ministerial level with Southern African Development Community (SADC) members states concerning the prospect for free and fair elections with respect to the 26 March (1) parliamentary, and (2) municipal, by-elections in Zimbabwe.

There has been no ministerial contact with the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) partners specifically on Zimbabwe's March 26 by-elections. However, through our Embassies and High Commissions, the UK regularly discusses the political, economic, and human rights situation in Zimbabwe with its international partners. The UK is committed to working in partnership with the SADC and the African Union as well as other international organisations. The Minister for Africa met with President Mnangagwa on 1 November 2021 and raised our concerns regarding human rights, the shrinking of democratic space and the importance of Zimbabwe demonstrating a positive trajectory ahead of the 2023 elections. The UK continues to urge the Zimbabwean Government to fulfil their own constitution and their commitments to reform electoral laws.