{"id":24059,"date":"2013-08-10T02:33:29","date_gmt":"2013-08-10T06:33:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=24059"},"modified":"2013-08-10T14:16:49","modified_gmt":"2013-08-10T18:16:49","slug":"relentless-dictatorship-in-zimbabwe-illustrates-limits-of-western-power-and-influence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=24059","title":{"rendered":"Relentless Dictatorship in Zimbabwe Illustrates Limits of Western Power and Influence."},"content":{"rendered":"

By Taylor Dibbert<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"original<\/a>

original pic by: Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock (USAF)<\/p><\/div>\n

Three years ago, I lived briefly in Harare, Zimbabwe. Having just finished my first year of graduate school, I worked for one of the country\u2019s leading human rights organizations. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe was and still is a mess.<\/p>\n

According to Zimbabwe\u2019s Electoral Commission (ZEC), President Robert Mugabe has just \u201cwon\u201d another five years in office. The results of the vote are questionable and one member of the ZEC has already resigned in protest. US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a firm statement on August 3. In addition to emphasizing that the US didn\u2019t think the election results were credible, Kerry cited voters roll irregularities, media bias and problems related to the security forces. He also mentioned that many of the country\u2019s political reforms \u2013 prescribed in the new constitution and the Global Political Agreement (GPA) \u2013 remain unfulfilled.
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\nMr. Kerry went on to note that, \u201cWe urge the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to address their concerns with the electoral process, as well as those raised by domestic monitoring groups. The Government of Zimbabwe needs to chart a way forward that will give the people of Zimbabwe the opportunity to express their most fundamental democratic right in a free and fair environment. We further call on all parties to refrain from violence during this period.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s disappointing that electoral observers from the African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have already approved the vote. A perennial disappointment, South African President Jacob Zuma has also accepted the results.<\/p>\n

Morgan Tsvangirai and other members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) groups have already said the vote was fraudulent. Mr. Tsvangirai recently said that \u201cThese early signs of instability are not only disturbing but show that those who are rushing to declare these elections free and fair are being delusional. Anyone who hopes that these fraudulent elections have resolved Zimbabwe\u2019s crisis is dreaming. The crisis is actually escalating. The 31 July fraud has left Zimbabwe on the precipice.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not clear where things go from here, but protracted political violence \u2013 such as that witnessed as a result of the last presidential elections in 2008 \u2013 is not out of the question. Post-election repression could escalate quickly. Reports of MDC supporters and polling agents being the targets for intimidation and violence by ZANU (PF) backers are very worrisome. (It\u2019s also somewhat strange because those two locations are ZANU (PF) strongholds).<\/p>\n

The economic implications of a Mugabe victory could also be enormous. Zimbabwe\u2019s unity government augured the introduction of a multi-currency system, which resulted in some economic stability and growth. If the Mugabe \u201cvictory\u201d stands it would give ZANU (PF) free rein to implement potentially disastrous policies. The country\u2019s indigenization policy was a central component of ZANU (PF)\u2019s campaign this year. The policy forces foreign businesses worth more than half a million dollars to give 51% of their equity to \u201cindigenous people,\u201d likely an indirect reference to ZANU (PF) patronage networks. Such a plan could continue to discourage foreign investment and herald greater economic instability. Some people are understandably very worried about a return to hyperinflation, empty shelves and heightened government expropriation. Zimbabwe deserves so much more.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to predict when genuine democracy will begin and things could very well get worse before they get better. The international community certainly hasn\u2019t forgotten about Zimbabwe; and numerous sanctions are still in place. That\u2019s important. However, Zimbabwe more likely provides yet another illustration of the limits of Western power and influence.<\/p>\n

Perhaps what\u2019s more important is that there are millions of Zimbabweans who are ready for change. I know of a few of those people; I got to rub shoulders with them, to collaborate with them for a brief moment. When the veil of dictatorship is finally lifted, the road ahead may not be straightforward \u2013 though I for one will be cautiously optimistic. Besides, anyone would be better than Mr. Mugabe.
\nCOURTESY:International Policy Digest<\/em><\/p>\n

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By Taylor Dibbert Three years ago, I lived briefly in Harare, Zimbabwe. Having just finished my first year of graduate school, I worked for one of the country\u2019s leading human rights organizations. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe was and still is a mess. According to Zimbabwe\u2019s Electoral Commission (ZEC), President Robert Mugabe has just \u201cwon\u201d another five years …<\/p>\n

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