New York

30 January 2009

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Zimbabwe

The Secretary-General welcomes the agreement of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to join a government of national unity in Zimbabwe, in line with the 15 September Global Peace Agreement and the communiqué of the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community Heads of State and Government of 27 January 2009. The United Nations pledges its full support to the implementation of the 15 September Agreement.

The Secretary-General calls on the new Government to take all necessary measures to address the humanitarian and economic crises in the country and respect democratic freedoms.