Will Mbeki's Forced Resignation Delegitimize Zimbabwe's Power Sharing Deal?

This weekend, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa was forced to resign amid charges that he interfered in rival, Jacob Zuma's corruption case. Besides the implications of this change in administration for South Africa, I can't help but wonder how this event will affect the Power Sharing Deal recently signed in Zimbabwe and brokered by Mbeki, an avid supporter of President Mugabe. The ANC has stated that Mbeki will be given the chance to continue operating as a mediator in Zimbabwe, but I can't help but wonder how Zimbabweans especially members of the opposition party will welcome his participation.


For the most part, criticism surrounding the deal has been largely pessimistic. And just days after the agreement was signed, there were reports that both parties were unsatisfied with the terms of the agreement and desired more substantial power. The MDC spokesperson even referred to the deal as a "false marriage". This is a clear indication of the need for more talks and resolutions, however with Mbeki facing his own slew of domestic issues, is he in the position to continue to mediate negotiations? And if so, will he have an even greater personal interest in the outcome of the negotiations on the brink of his demotion?

One cannot help but wonder how long this vision will last....

Power Sharing Deal Reached in Zimbabwe

Today, the new leaders of Zimbabwe announced the details of the power sharing deal reached on Friday. President Mbeki mediated the negotiations which maintains Robert Mugabe's seat as President and establishes opposition leaders, Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister and Arthur Mutambara, who heads a breakaway faction of the MDC, Deputy Prime Minister
Though the full details of the deal have yet to be disclosed, President Mugabe will remain head of state, the cabinet, and the armed services. Prime Minister Tsvangirai will head the council of ministers and the police.



This is most definitely a step in the right direction and I can't wait to see how Zimbabweans as well as the international community will react. Mugabe largely criticized the UK for their interference in the political conflict by imposing sanctions and ZANU-PF and MDC supporters did not seem to mirror the reconciliatory spirit of Mugabe and Tsvangirai and clashed outside the conference center where the event took place. I hope that these are not signs that this showcase of cooperation is not truly genuine. Zimbabwe has a plethora of rebuilding to do and cannot achieve success without the strength of cooperation.

A Sad Day for Democracy

This Friday Zimbabwe will hold its run-off election for the presidency. However, due to the overwhelming amount of violence, corruption, and repression that has marked the presidential run-off campaign, the results will be a complete sham. Yesterday, Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition party's leader and winner of the initial election, pulled out of the election, asserting that contesting Mugabe's rule was not worth the number of lives that had been and would continue to be lost as a result of challenge of his rule. Here are his comments, as well as responses to the decision he made.



Mugabe definitely wins the bully of the year award. Unfortunately, he has always been a bully. Upon taking power in the 80s, he stripped White Zimbabweans of their land and redistributed it to his supporters. Only, at that time, it was considered cool and payback for the centuries of oppression Blacks had suffered under Whites. Mugabe grew a large support base because of his radical and uncompromising stand. However, today, 28 years later he continues to use force and radical and uncompromisable approaches to control the country and his people.



It is time the international community stop ignoring grave acts of human rights abuse in Africa. For the sake of human lives, please put our selfish interests to the side and call and spade a spade. We all laughed when Mugabe chastised Bush for calling the kettle black:



But he has taken his authoritarianism too far and needs to be stopped!

I respect Tsvangirai for fighting until now and wish he could continue, considering at this point, if Mugabe is going to assassinate him, he will regardless of whether he wins or not. But it is definitely time for someone to put at end to dictatorships and complete disregards for democracy that are plaguing us.

It's Getting Worse

First CARE, now all aid groups have been suspended from operating in Zimbabwe. I think I've already made it clear how I feel about this whole situation. Now it's just getting downright sad...
Food distribution has been banned, in the middle of a food crisis.
The publicized rationale behind the ban is to prohibit aid groups from politicizing their operations and influencing the vote of citizens. But if Mugabe has been leading his country in a fair and just way, what is he so afraid of?
Since Tsvangirai's return to Zimbabwe, he's been detained twice. American and British diplomats have also been harrassed and detained. Now the government is using its power to turn on it's citizens. This situation is completely out of control and I can only imagine what June 27 holds in store.

Results Finally Released in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has finally released the results of their presidential election. To no surprise, Morgan Tsvangirai won.



Unfortunately, he only won with 47.9% of the vote (to Mugabe's 43.2%), so there will have to be a runoff election. This is why since the elections, Mugabe has been arresting and abusing supporters of the opposition party so that they will not come out to vote in the runoff. Hopefully, the next round of elections will be peaceful and Zimbabwe can finally be freed from a 28 year old dictatorship.

Cooperation is the Only Option

The opposition parties in Zimbabwe have realized that the only way to successfully oust Mugabe out of power is to cooperate and unite as one for the time being. Tsvangirai and Mutambara, Zimbabwe's opposition party leaders, have united to declare control over parliament and demand that Mugabe concede. Mugabe has relegated to imprisoning the opposition in an effort to maintain power for another 28 years, but I feel as though with the support of the international community and unification of the opposition parties, he will not succeed without bloodshed. Hopefully, he will not take it that far. In the past we've seen the need to virtually drive out other dictators who wouldn't give up their throne and this still led to bloodshed. Mugabe, please spare the lives of innocent citizens and step down!

Rulers for Life- Mugabe

Weeks after the presidential elections in Zimbabwe, Mugabe refuses to turn over power or reveal the percentage of votes he received. Tsvangirai has fled to Botswana for fear of his life.
The desire of African leaders to be rulers for life has convinced them to completely reject democracy and the will of the people. Even opposition parties, who develop the courage to speak against them are eventually silenced and fear for their lives and those of their supporters because they realize that these dictators care more about their personal power than the future of the nation.

A refugee who fled Zimbabwe with his family said his fellow countrymen had finally spoken, but warned that dark days lay ahead.
"If Tsvangirai becomes president Mugabe will mobilise war vets, the army, police, secret service and the militia to take revenge on the people who just want bread and freedom.
"On the other hand, if Mugabe rigs the elections in the next 21 days and imposes himself as president, people will fight back and lives will be lost," he said.