Forgotten Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is an example of a crisis that has moved out of the public eye. At the beginning of last decade and for many years, the country´s political chaos and economic mismanagement were very much at the centre of the international agenda. Then, gradually, as there was no real progress, the matter became a side issue, like an incurable disease that nobody wants to talk about because there is no hope any more. Moreover, it was an issue that kept poisoning the relations between EU, US and South Africa, as President Zuma – and somehow, prior to him, President Mbeki – did not appreciate the Western world continuous remarks about old “freedom fighter” Robert Mugabe. For these reasons, Zimbabwe rapid, unstoppable descent into hell turned from a hot issue into a matter that was better kept under diplomatic silence. One of those cases you do not talk about, because you know it is a painful and shameful stain in the family history.

Now, taking advantage of the silence and regional support, Mugabe is back in full power and the opposition is in full disarray. MDC, the opposition party, is more divided than ever and many of those divisions have to do with Mugabe´s ability to destroy the image of the MDC´s leadership.

Old Mugabe is a talented political fox. And little Zuma and company are just too afraid to speak up their minds. As we have also become, in our Western world. When we get tired and when it offends some of our powerful friends, we just play a different tune.