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April 24 a new day for Zimbabwe
By Maxwell Kwenda
April 24, 2008
I HAVE resisted commenting publicly commenting on the Zimbabwe situation but my silence will drive me into madness or depression. Something big just happened yesterday.
Finally, the US government has started the process of delegitimizing the Harare regime by declaring that the (former) opposition candidate won the election. There is one consequence to this statement: the current government is no longer viewed as the legitimate government which means that US policy on Zimbabwe might be shifting toward something akin to the one for Cuba. It is also consequential to note the source of the statement – Jendayi Frazer. She a former US ambassador to South Africa and is now Assistant Secretary of State responsible for African Affairs.
It is obvious that the winds of change blew through Zimbabwe on March 29 and we are witnessing the aftermath. The regime did not anticipate the margin by which they lost the election and hence the need for the “recount”. There have been indications even from the regime that they know that they lost the presidential election from the initial silence from all government mouthpieces, the statement from the Zanu (PF) lawyer that it would be “dangerous” for ZEC to release election results, to yesterday’s editorial in pro-Zanu-PF, The Herald, that there ought to be a government of national unity.
The reasons given so far qualify for the “Where in the world series…”or “Only in Zimbabwe…” Where in the world could election results be declared dangerous…Even Saddam Hussein revealed election results when they were obviously and embarrassingly rigged because he would win by 99 percent! It is not an insult on the over 10 million Zimbabwe still living in-country to state that some of the best minds have left that country and we are witnessing bumbling idiots in charge.
In the US democratic primary election in Pennsylvania, Barack Obama got in trouble for stating that in the face of declining economic fortunes people in small towns and cities become bitter and cling to guns and religion. In the Zimbabwean case, people cling to humor and religion.
People outside Zimbabwe often wonder why Zimbabweans haven’t thus far been engaged in a civil war – the biggest weapon they have is humor.
A recent example is, despite the seriousness of the incident, Zimbabweans are saying may be the ship with arms from China ought to dock somewhere since the results of the election may be onboard! There was an earlier joke sent as a text message that since Zimbabweans are now so creative in their black market dealings, they should source the results form there! As for religion, messages and communication that I have had with friends and relatives in Zimbabwe have taken a more religious turn. “God willing” and “it’s up to the Lord” are now common phrases.
Although African governments have been criticized for “doing nothing”, there have been significant changes in approach. The most vocal so far has been Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia who described Zimbabwe economic situation as a “sinking Titanic.” Yesterday, Kofi Annan added more diplomatic pressure by describing the current impasse as unacceptable.
I am surprised that Kofi Annan is now so critical of Mugabe since in 2005 when he was still Secretary General of the UN he did the little in resolving “Operation Murambatsvina” where thousands of urban Zimbabweans were internally displaced by the government because they were “people without totems.” I guess its better late than never or may be the good offices of the UN Secretary General could not be used to stop crimes against humanity!?!
Anyway, let me stop venting. Today is a new day.
(Maxwell N. Kwenda, PhD, is based in Oklahoma where he became an American citizen on March 28, a day before the elections.)
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