The June 27 runoff election has come and went. Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF Party supporters have managed to rig the polls and steal the election, maintaining their grip on power. Still, it does not seem that Mugabe is fully satisfied with being “reelected” as Zimbabwe’s president.
So far, it looks that he intends to make the majority of Zimbabwe’s people suffer. Mugabe looks to make them suffer for refusing to support and vote for him. The violence in Zimbabwe was apparent as Mugabe’s Zanu-PF mobs and militiamen with the assistance of the military have used fear, intimidation, and violence against those planning to vote against him.
There was the systematic tracking down and brutally executing supporters and members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had dropped out days prior.
Back in Zimbabwe, Mugabe said that before they talk, Tsvangirai needs to stop claiming that he is the legitimate winner of the election. Tsvangirai did win back in March; but, lacked the majority to avoid a runoff election. However, there is controversy as Mugabe’s government had withheld the election results for several weeks.
Top US diplomat to Africa, Jendayi Frazer, accused Mugabe of trying to steal the election. Frazer also added that Tsvangirai did win the elections outright. But, none of the international criticisms matter. At least, it does not matter to Mugabe and his Zanu-PF Party. Mugabe remains in power.
While maintaining his hold on power, Mugabe does not seem to be satisfied yet. It would look to see that Mugabe plans to make his opponents suffer. Perhaps Mugabe is looking to humiliate his opponents; mainly Tsvangirai.
Mugabe has made it clear, if people want to talk, they have to recognize him as the leader of Zimbabwe. That is what Mugabe said. In a nutshell, either recognize Mugabe as Zimbabwe’s president or don’t bother talking to him at all.
The African Union (AU) did come up with the possibility national unity government. Tsvangirai shot down that idea. But, is a national unity government something similar to a power sharing deal?
If so, Tsvangirai has good reason to shoot it down.
It is highly unlikely that Mugabe would agree to such a notion. He has made it clear that he will neither let Mugabe nor anybody else in the MDC take power. Even before the runoff election took place, Mugabe threatened to plunge Zimbabwe into civil war if Tsvangirai wins the election.
Mugabe has constantly accused Tsvangirai of being an imperialist puppet of Britain. Keep in mind that Zimbabwe used to be a British colony. This is a concern that Britain’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) must deal with. Yes, Britain’s MoD is entertaining the idea of possible military intervention for two purposes: evacuation of British citizens and bringing aid to the Zimbabweans that need help. But that is easier said that one. Everything looks good in writing; but, application is just another story.
Overall, Mugabe seems to have the intent of making his opponents suffer along with making Tsvangirai bend to his will.
However, maybe Tsvangirai could hold out for just awhile longer. While Tsvangirai has dropped out of the election race, he does not have to deal with Zimbabwe’s economy. So far, Zimbabwe is the one place on earth where billionaires are poor. Zimbabwe’s banknotes are next to worthless.
To make matters worse, Zimbabwe no longer has a supplier for banknote paper. The German firm that does business with Zimbabwe has stopped the supplies.
Perhaps, it will be Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation that might nail in the coffin to Mugabe’s regime in the near future.
Since the illegal borders have been taken down, more people can leave Zimbabwe in mass exodus.
While Mugabe is still in power, he risks losing a whole lot of leverage.
Leave Your Comments