Mugabe always has a plan. What’s it this time?
Yesterday we heard reports of army jets flying over Harare and this morning there were large groups of army soldiers marching through the centre of Bulawayo.
The threat is ever present.
I doubt that these open displays of intimidation are as effective against the people as they were seven years ago. The soldiers voted with us and they know we won and we know we won. The ironic thing about this is that we march together but the old man just will not accept it.
There is not much talk anymore of whether the results will be announced or not. The process seems pointless (albeit necessary) when the answer is clear for all to see. The only talk now is of the way forward and the SADC meeting.
I lay awake last night wondering how the SADC meeting will unfold.
Historically, mugabe arrives and makes as much of a grand entrance is as allowed. He struts about shaking hands and kissing cheeks. The world sees this act of camaraderie. Usually he has his ‘rent a crowd’ of supports to applaud him. Again, another attempt to pull the wool over. We know his tactics as we see it time and time again and I am trying to visualize this all before it happens.
I am relieved because I now hear he isn’t going to be at the SADC. I’m glad we’ll be spared that hurt at least.
But I wonder if SADC could be so strong as to make a decision without him present? My dread now is it will just be a stalemate.
Mugabe always has a plan. What’s it this time?
Our only hope is to pray’ my priest tells me this morning. My prayer is that the members of SADC will do the right thing for the people of Zimbabwe.
That democracy and human rights take priority over those loyalties African leaders seem to have for mugabe, even as he destroys us and our country, and that we will finally be free from the grip of the dictator.
I pray for a return to the rule of law under our elected President.
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April 12th, 2008 07:10
Dear Noktula,
Here is a Brit looking in to your situation who really feels for you and all the decent honest peoples of Zimbabwe and the tragedy of a ‘broke’ country,economy-wise, that should be vibrant, successful and happy. Regrettably, global history shows that ascendancy to office and the trappings of influence and power have a common effect on individuals. You don’t have to go much further than the pre-2003 history of Iraq; current nonsenses in Pakistan; Burma and Thailand; the grave situation in Sudan / Darfur as well as the recent election in Russia to understand that this situation / culture is endemic across the globe.
I am afraid that whilst the motives and discussions of the SADC,in private, will be incandescent about electoral fraud and the effect on neighboring states etc, the reported position and statement issued will do absolutely nothing to sway Mr Mugabe. His strategy and thinking is simple….. ”I am in a job for life; this is my right & destiny and I am going no where”. The sadness is that this is known by virtually everyone worldwide to be totally and utterly despotic - particularly as RM has shown absolutely total contempt for democratic values; the well being of his very own people; presided over this catastrophic economic meltdown and is surrounded by incompetant sychophants and misguided military ‘hard men’ who are naively intoxicated by RM, but who cannot ’see the wood for the trees’.
Things are at such a dangerous ‘low’ that I personally believe that responsible nations should come together to give Mugabe a single option…. the opportunity to stand down immediately and allow democracy to be the arbiter of Zimbabwe’s future. To all the close aides & misguided followers mentioned above, the message needs to be clear…. that they will be pursued relentlessly until brought to justice and subject to the severest penalties for having taken actions prejudicing the Rule of Law and treatment of your citizens.
If the option is not taken, then Mugabe should be removed by force - period. Thereafter, positive conditions must be re-kindled as soon as possible; democracy restored; complete overhaul in Public Service Ministries & the Armed Forces; commercial investment and jobs; food back on shelves and Zimbabwe on a pathway of re-structuring to the benefit its people.
As is, do not trust Robert Mugabe on anything one iota. At x83, I believe his mental powers and rationale are now so far away from any sense of realit, that matters are going to get worse. Technically this will be a matter for the people to deal with…. but the SADC andother global powers hav enow got to take responsible action to protect a nation.
yes, I will pray for you too. Best wishes to all decent Zimbabweans.
Bill Tyrone
April 12th, 2008 09:54
We heard at 5pm yesterday that he would not attend the SADC meeting. I think its a good sign but in any case, SADC cannot decide the affairs of state for Zimbabwe, though maybe they could lift people’s spirits by encouraging them to uphold their democratic rights and a reurn to law. I sense that the isolation facing Zimbabwe restricts strategic attempts to negotiate a realistic and legal way forward. The press paint a picture of complaints from MDC but I’m hoping that behind the revelations of brutality, injustice and corruption, a group of people are asking the question,’How do we move on from here towards a just and peaceful settlement.’ Maybe nobody planned for this turn of events but this is what is on the table, this is what has to be dealt with. My belief, in my heart and mind, is that there are suitably experienced people in Zimbabwe and elsewhere who could work together to plan a way forward. I hope that as we write, they are already communicating with each other.
April 12th, 2008 09:58
DO YOU THINK MR MUGABE THINKS IF HE STAYS OUT OF THE WAY EVERYONE WILL FORGET ABOUT THE ELECTION???????????? I THINK HE HAS NOW LOST THE PLOT COMPLETELY HE SHOULD HAVE GONE TO LUSAKA HAD THE MEETING AND MADE A WISE DECISION TO HAND OVER . AT LEAST LEAVE WITH SOME PRIDE………. AND LET THE COUNTRY REJOICE. HE ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE BLAMING SOMEONE ELSE FOR THINGS GOING WRONG IN HIS COUNTRY HE JUST DOES NOT SEE IT MAYBE HIS AGE IS CATCHING HIM UP WHO KNOWS???
A VERY DISAPPOINTED UK CITIZEN I THOUGHT BY NOW WE WOULD BE ENJOYING YOUR HAPPINESS………IT WILL COME NO DOUBT OF THAT
JUST KEEP YOUR HOPES AND STRENGTH UP AND BELIEVE IN KARMA WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
GOOD TIMES ARE DUE TO COME ANY DAY
April 12th, 2008 09:59
You are right! He is always good at distracting attention and then doing something unexpected.
Be safe today with world attention on Lusaka and move with camera cell phones if you must go to strange places.
Yes, people with political minds - what is he up to?
April 12th, 2008 11:42
He has never ‘lost the plot’. He is the plot.
April 12th, 2008 11:55
In response to Bill. There is a children’s fable; ‘Who will Bell the Cat?’ No one wants to bell the cat so the slaughter of birds continues. who are these ‘responsible governments’ and given the events of the last 5 years in Iraq, which one of them has the right to tell RM what he should or should not do. ‘Removed by force’ is not a democratic or just solution. As soon as we use those tactics, we give way to pressure, to the call to arms. If we have a democratic constitution, a rule of law, then we have to trust that constitution and the law that underpins it through what should be an independent judiciary. Saddam Hussein was removed by force and how has that force benfitted the ordinary people of Iraq? The process may take some time; there are no quick fixes to tyranny.
April 12th, 2008 12:41
Whether Mugabe is at the SADC conference or not, it is about time Zambian President Mwanawasa and other regional leaders speak out forcefully to validate the democratic elections in Zimbabwe. While the threat posed to the regional economy is very real, and violence against Zimbabwe’s citizens should not be allowed, there is another major reason for members of the SADC to speak up. When leaders like South Africa’s President Mbeki endorse Mugabe’s corruption of the democratic process by their silence, they send a message to the rest of the world that they, too, have no regard for the rights of people–including the citizens of their own countries–to choose their own leaders.
Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds
April 12th, 2008 13:03
To Boomerang,
Sadly “Pride” is something I don’t believe Mugabe warrants, or can retrieve in any form from this mess he’s created - even if he shouted apologies and lambasted himself on the roof of State House.
It also alludes to knowledge of Right & Wrong.
So the use of this term to persude Mugabe to behave responsibly is sadly a dead end. He is a wily street fighter now, not a rational, reasonable, level headed, thinking being - probably hasn’t been since the 2000 referendum where he first heard the people of Zim stand up and say “NO!”, hence bursting his little egalomaniacal bubble a bit.
Frankly he needs nothing less than a damn good public thrashing, televised around the world. But since that won’t happen either, we wait for SADC & Mbeki to pussy foot around him & dissappoint the civilised world yet again - or at least that’s what I’ve come to expect.
Which leads me to think - they’re likely to be a bit shy in the “pride” stakes also.
April 12th, 2008 13:19
Madresicilia, I agree with you. A country’s future is determined jointly by everyone and we need to join the discussion. I hadn’t put up information I have found because I didn’t want to distract attention from campaigns to increase solidarity on the ground.
These are important points: Gordon Brown will be in the USA shortly, President Mbeki flew to Lusaka via Harare, a British representative has flown to Bejing. These people are doing their jobs, and we hope they will find a chink that allows us to move forward. Importantly, South Africa is currently chairing the Security Council (we did during the first Iraq war). Hence the importance of China who have vetoed actions on Zimbabwe in the past. India has also vetoed in the past, I believe. Libya might veto (though I suspect if we promised to pay our bills they might change their mind).
We shouldn’t be so naive as to think UN action is the whole story - think of UDI. Nor should we think it is the only story. The influence of countries far and wide points to business and trade interests too.
If you have internet, google Controlled Greed for the money that has been raised by businesses. The miners are salivating with the current gold price. Just last night, there was a program on Radio 4 discussing Zimbabweans as if we were stray puppies. There was a Ugandan but there but no Zimbo’s. It might be replayed in the next hour or two it you have internet. Radio 4.
Let’s work out all the connections and talk to the people we know. No one person determines this result. We all do together. And because it is a joint result, we can’t determine the outcome.
But we can influence whether it will be heated,angry and violent, or calm, considered and inclusive.
That is in our power and you know what, that is exactly what Zimbabweans are so good at. How I have missed that abroad. The ability for Zimbabweans to discuss things and find a way forward is world-class. We are truly good at it and it will be our salvation.
Think widely and be positive. It is our best hope.
We are thinking of you all at home and stay safe.
April 12th, 2008 16:47
Thanks for this Scotchcart
April 13th, 2008 11:48
‘Quote’ ‘Removed by force’ is not a democratic or just solution. As soon as we use those tactics, we give way to pressure, to the call to arms. If we have a democratic constitution, a rule of law, then we have to trust that constitution and the law that underpins it through what should be an independent judiciary. Saddam Hussein was removed by force and how has that force benfitted the ordinary people of Iraq? The process may take some time; there are no quick fixes to tyranny’….
Madresicilia - well made points above that I accept. I have been in Iraq and seen with my own eyes the extent of $corruption; what ordinary people haven’t got and the difficulties of imposing democracy on peoples who don’t actually understand it or necessarily want it.
The key here surely is where a country has a democratic framework and mature institutions of Government & Law, but where the person holding the reigns abjectly disabuses them for personal gain at any price?
The weight of concern is for the well being of human beings in an environment that is on the edge of the social & commercial abyss. Can the country physically slide any further without dire consequenses?
I heard yesterday that RM’s maternal background enjoyed great longevity well into the 90s. Difficult to contemplate the future but,notwithstanding faith & confidence in the constitution,do others agree that this man plans on going nowhere. Should he be allowed to completely bankrupt, ruin and harm a good people further - making a complete mockery of an electoral process, to boot?
Best regards,
Bill