Accra, June 11,GNA- Zimbabwean civil society organizations on Monday called on President John Agyekum Kufuor to, as Chairman of the African Union (AU), use his office to ensure peace and tranquility in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwean crisis, according to the group, should be high on the agenda of the forthcoming AU Summit in Accra. Speaking to newsmen in Accra, Dr Lovemore Madhuku, Chairperson of the National Constitutional Assembly of Zimbabwe and leader of the group said the AU was the appropriate organ to take up issues relating to the Zimbabwean crisis.

He said all Africans should intervene in the economic lapses and human rights abuses confronting the country saying, "the call for democracy, freedom of speech and expression and the respect for human rights must no longer remain the task of only Zimbabweans, but a collective responsibility of the entire continent." Dr. Madhuku also called for constitutional amendments to the Zimbabwean Constitution which would be done through a comprehensive discussion and debate proposals.

"All that we are asking for as Zimbabweans is the rights to free and fair elections and the opportunity to assert our rights to debate", he added. 11 June 07