AU Observer Mission: Obasanjo Denies Reports Of Removal

Reports that he had been dropped from the African Union, AU, Observer Mission to Zimbabwe’s forthcoming general elections has been dispelled by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo said yesterday said he was headed for Zimbabwe on his assignment as head of the AU Observer Mission to monitor the July 31 elections, although reports said he is presently in China. Chairperson of AU Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, recently named Obasanjo as head of a 60-man observer mission for the Zimbabwean election. The international observer mission also includes former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. Reports, earlier yesterday, said Obasanjo had been dropped both as leader and team member of the observer mission. Asked if he was still going to Zimbabwe yesterday, on telephone, Obasanjo quipped: “Who said I am not going?”