By Elijah Chihota

The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference ZCBC) has expressed confidence in the new dispensation which was ushered in last November as the country prepares for the 2018 harmonised elections.

“In the six months since those events, we have seen many reasons for hope,” said the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) in a pastoral letter published on 29 June.

“The Government and its President have created a new space for political activity, setting a new tone of freedom of speech, and promising free, fair, credible and undisputed elections under reformed electoral processes and institutions with access for international observers,” read part of the letter.

The ZCBC expressed optimism on the prospects of the revival of the economy and attraction of the much needed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

 “The President is energetically seeking foreign investment that he sees as essential to get the economy working again,” said the pastoral fraternity.

The new dispensation which took over last November saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa hitting the ground running by extending the hand of re-engagement to the West to which the United Kingdom and most European countries are already warming up to. Under the “Zimbabwe is open for business” drive, the country has seen a number of deals being inked to the tune of over US$16 billion in commitments.

On the electoral front, in a departure from the previous dispensation, President Mnangagwa has invited observers from 46 countries. To this end, the European Union (EU) has already deployed its personnel on the ground one month ahead of polls.