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.

  

Post-elections period in Zimbabwe

It would be wise for the EU to accept the assessment made by the African Union regarding the Zimbabwe elections of 31 July. That assessment can also be combined with the findings of the Zimbabwean Electoral Support Network, a consortium of NGOs that deployed 7,000 observers throughout the country. We have then a more balanced opinion. EU can then state that it follows that balance, based on the judgement made by credible Africans, and express its willingness to constructively engage with the new government in Harare. Constructive engagement with anyone that matters is better than negative criticism. 

Repeating ourselves about Zimbabwe

Today I have to go back to the Zimbabwe issue.

After serving in the country for four years, I left Harare at the end of 2004. Now, almost nine years later, and on the eve of the presidential elections, I listen to the political discourse and see that the themes and the worries are exactly the same. 

But not only on the Mugabe and Tsvangirai camps.

SADC, the association of Southern African States, the EU and others in the international community keep saying today what they were already telling us nine or more years ago: this time, we need proper elections, this time we will not accept fraud, this time it has to be different.

And we can only respond what we have said many times in the past: poor Zimbabwe!

Elections Zimbabwean style

On 31 July Zimbabweans will be offered a new chance of being robbed. Indeed, on that day presidential elections will take place. And the Electoral Commission, appointed by good old Robert and loyal to the regime interests, will do again what they have done in 2002, 2005 and 2008: make sure that the Mugabe camp steals the elections. The Electoral Commissioners are very expert at that job. I have observed and also implemented many elections in Africa and elsewhere. I have never seen an institutional machinery so smart as the one in Zimbabwe that can organise chaos, put in place rules and legal obstacles, and create all conditions for the old man to be “elected” in a way that looks good enough.

I would love to be wrong this time.