HARARE, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairperson Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday welcomed a court ruling that proclaimed Daniel Chapo the winner of the Oct. 9 general elections of Mozambique. The ruling by that country's top electoral court, which upheld Frelimo party's victory, completes and thus exhausts all lawful processes on determining election results, in line with that country's national laws, and in keeping with SADC's Election Guidelines and expectations, Mnangagwa said in a statement. He said SADC expects all parties to the electoral process to abide by the decision of the Constitutional Council of Mozambique, noting that the ruling should provide a constitutional way forward for the country and facilitate greater peace, normalcy, and stability in the southern African country. SADC stands ready to assist the incoming government and the people of Mozambique, in consolidating their electoral democracy on the basis of the aforesaid Court decision which should be held sacrosanct by all, Mnangagwa said. Mnangagwa also urged the international community to respect the sovereign will of the people and the Republic of Mozambique and encouraged constructive support towards peace, law, and order by all those concerned. On Monday, Mozambique's Constitutional Council, the body in charge of constitutional and electoral affairs, proclaimed Daniel Chapo the winner of the Oct. 9 general elections. SADC is a regional economic community comprising 16 member states including Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
