Sunday, May 20, 2007

The Trouble with The Zim

Before leaving for Africa we had made the decision to not visit Zimbabwe (The Zim). In South Africa we met a couple of Zimbabwians who had now left the country. Without fail thay all said 'It's a beautiful country. But, please, don't go.' They spoke for reasons of safety, constant hassling by police, and the non-endorsement of Robert Mugabe.

The trouble with The Zim is Robert Mugabe. And here are just a few thoughts, gleaned while traveling nearby.

But '[The Zim] needs a transformation. \not just a change of leader, but a strengthening of its democratic institutions' says outspoken, and constantly at risk, RC Archbishop Pius Neube (The Namibian).

Mugabe doesn't take kindly to criticism. His agents engage in brutality. Pictures of opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai's beaten and re-arranged face must surely have made it to world wide media. ['He must have deserved it.' commented Mugabe.] Arthur Mutambra another opposition member is detained without charges laid.

And the world watches. No oil in The Zim, so the US isn't interested. John Howard has asked Aussie cricketers not to go [heard BBC radio 8 May - haven't caught up with the outcome] - that should solve all! More sports and politics. I know all the arguments on this one but surely this needs some chest to chest, toe to toe action.

Neighbouring countries completely stay out of it. Worse they show unwavering support for the wayward leader. These neighbouring countries are members of the SADC (Southern African Development Community). And what of the 'African Renaissance' mooted by South African President Thabo Mbeki?

Mbeki is quoted at the University of Havana as saying ' Furthermore, the African Recovery Programme (The Millenium Partnership for the African Recovery Programme (MAP), more recently described as the New African Initiative) must have both as an intergral part and condition for its sucess, an end to coup d'etats and imposition of military governments on the peoples of Africa, an end to destructive violent conflicts and the defeat of elites that corruptly enrich themselves at the expense of the people.' Actions speak louder than words. As a consequence, he is under some pressure for his standoff.

Warnings abound. Vekuii Rukoro, CEO, First National bank Namibia Holdings sounded a (metaphoric) warning (The Namibian): 'It is high time that political and business leaders in SADC realise that Zimbabwe is a floating nuclear time bomb unless a timely and meaningful intervention is made. He was speaking on a lack of leadership in Africa. He blamed the discredited rulers of the African old boys club, namely "you stay out of my domestic affairs and I shall see no evil, hear no evil, and see no evil about your country"'.

I'll quote from a full page letter to the editor in Botswana's 'sundaystandard' from a Phillip Bulawa (whose given address raises as many questions: Botswana Congress Party, Townsville, Australia (?)) who analyses SADC support of Mugabe:

'The first real reason [for SADC leaders consistently standing by their man in The Zim]in my view dates back to the strong relationship and ties during the liberation struggles waged against some of the most repressive and brutal white regimes which legislated the most outrageous laws ever passed against humanity in the world. The current leadership in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique are all products of war against illegal white occupation.'
'Some of the 'comrades' in these liberation movements even fought alongside each other. The ZANLA forces of Mugabe ... honed skills and tactics by fighting alongside FRELIMO against Portugese (in Mozambique). ANC's Umkonthowe Sizwe and Joshua Nkomo (ZIPRA, Zambia) also had very close ties.'

'An umbilical cord that ties them together ... is the continued regard as comrades ... of socialist ideologies. And a common unified support from the more socialist Soviet Union, China and Cuba.'

'For anyone therfore to expect Angolan leadership (for example) to critise Mugabe under pressure from America is just unreasonable.'

'Botswana, in particular, which is directly affected by the volitile situatio prevailing in [Zim], finds itself in an awkward position in this whole situation, firstly because it's certainly outside the club of friends or former liberation movements. Botswana doesn't wield any political influence in the SADC. Botswana knows even if Mugabe rescinded to international pressure - which is of course just a dream, a continued ZANU government would punish Botswana economically for previous utterances against its leader and party.'



So Mugabe continues. The problem remains. And a contributing factor is the complete disfunction in the political opposition in the country.

Apart from the brutality, what are the results of the current regime? Well, a destroyed economy.

The Namibian, of 18 April, ran the following story: 'Zim's government, which has indefintely postponed the latest set [March's] of inflation figures, appears increasingly panicked over the losing battle against the country's economic HIV, analysts said. When the Central Stastical Office (CSO) announced a month ago that the Febinflation figure rate had jumped by another 137 points [!!!] to a staggering 1730% [!!!]) it further undermined Finance Minister Herbert Murerwa's prediction it would fall to around 300% [!!!] by end of year.'

But some time later, the Botswana Guardian (May 4) broke the news. The cost of maize, a basic food staple in Zimbabwe, was to rise seven-fold. This was on the back of the eventual announcement of the March inflation figures: 2200%

It gets worse. 'Zimbabwe central bank broke' announces Botswana Guardian. 'The International Monetry Fund (IMF) says ZIM central bank is technically broke and has tarnished its creditability as the regulator of the country's banking system.' 'While central bank loses in most countries are contained within 10% of GDP, [Zim's loses] are estimated at 75% of GDP in 2006.' 'The central bank now has to scrounge on the illegal foreign exchange market for hard cash.'

Then on 9 May 2007 it was announced (Zambia Post) that households in Zim were to be limited to four hours electricity a day, 17:00 - 21:00 hrs.

But brace yourself for this. (Zambia Daily Mail): Western countries are concerned about the expected appointment to head a key UN body, the Commision on Sustainable Development (!!! What the ...)' @ Western diplomats said Zim , whichis in the midst of an economic and political crisis, was hardly a good example of development.'

You don't say!!! You know, I reckon I could do the job of a 'western diplomat' once I have the African travel out of my system!

The answers: buggered if I know (as they say).

Don't ask me. I'm just an observer.

Max
aka mad


Botswana Guardian (May4, 2007) International News: Zim central bank broke. p. 6. CBET (pty) Ltd: Gaborone
Botswana Guardian (May4, 2007) Maize price to rise. p. 4. CBET (pty) Ltd: Gaborone
Mbeki, T. (2002) Africa: define yourself pp. 72-89 Tafelburg-Mafube: Cape Town (The African Renaissance: Africa defining themselves. Address at the University of Havana, Cuba, 27 March 2001)
sundaystandard (April 29-May 5) Opinion/Analysis. Bulawa, P. Why SADC leaders support Robert Mugabe. p.10. Sunday Standard Newspaer Ltd.: Gaborone.
The Namibian (16 April 2007: Vol 22 No 69) Zimbabwe needs change p.1. Free Press: Windhoek
The Namibian (18 April 2007: Vol 22 No 71) Zim freezes inflation figures p.3 Free Press: Windhoek
The Namibian (20 April 2007: Vol 22 No 73) Zimbabwe a time bomb: Rukoro. pp. 1-2. Free Press: Windhoek
The Zambian Post (May 10, 2007) Zim pulls power plug p. 3 Post Newspapers Ltd: Lusaka.