Disclaimer: This is a reprint of an article I wrote in 2005 and was subsequently published by an online newspaper, NewZimbabwe.com. In re-reading it, I noticed that it still applies to the current situation surrounding negotiations. One needs only replace a few words such as “elections” with “negotiations” and everything will read as if it were written today. There are other developments that have taken place as well, but the central message remains that Zimbabwe needs mature parties, and its solution lies beyond Zanu-PF and the MDC. I am reproducing the article in its original form.
After Zanu-PF won the parliamentary elections in 2005, President Robert Mugabe extended an olive branch to the opposition and pledged to cooperate. However, the MDC vowed not to work with a government that had stolen the election. The MDC alleged that the elections were not free and fair; a common feature of the elections were the discrepancies between figures announced by the ZEC and the total votes of Zanu-PF, MDC candidates and independents. Clearly most of the constituencies won by Zanu-PF, especially in rural areas, looked very suspect. The grievances of the MDC are therefore justified. However, the question is: What next? This is a complex one to answer.
Events leading up to election day were characterised by both positive and negative developments. The positive climate, which was free of physical violence, at least, was a precursor to pronouncements by many observer missions that found the elections to be free and fair. This has put the MDC in a rather difficult position. Many are arguing that the MDC is a party that complains every time it loses an election. My suspicion is that the MDC will not be taken seriously by SADC, South Africa and other countries that are friends with Robert Mugabe. These are beginning to think that the MDC is bent on causing mayhem in Zimbabwe; that elections are only free and fair if they are won by the MDC.
Mugabe has further weakened the MDC’s case by inviting it to work with him in developing the country. If the MDC continues to refuse to cooperate with Mugabe, it risks soliciting criticism not only from its sympathisers but also from the international community. The secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has, for example, called for both parties to engage in constructive dialogue. And the business community in South Africa is beginning to send signals that it would be fool-hardy for the two parties not to work together now. It is thus a general feeling that for the Zimbabwean crisis to be resolved, the two main parties need to sit down and talk. The reconstruction of Zimbabwe is far beyond elections, which will not bring peace, stability and economic development. What we need now are mature leaders who have the country and its citizens at heart. Does Zimbabwe have this kind of leaders?
It is also naive and very dangerous to assume that had the MDC won the elections, Zimbabwe would be on a road to recovery. Chances are that Mugabe with his executive powers would have continued to block all reforms for which the MDC would have opted, and the MDC with its overwhelming majority would have continually frustrated Mugabe’s executive powers. The result would have been a stalemate or deadlock. But now that Zanu-PF has a two-thirds majority in Parliament, it is embarrassing for the MDC to take up its 41 seats. However, it is even more dangerous for the MDC to reject the election and engage in a peaceful protest. No one will take the MDC seriously; instead it is likely to have its members incarcerated.
Already there are voices in South Africa and the region that are arguing that the MDC has itself to blame for the defeat. First the MDC opted not to contest the elections and later decided to take part; in the process it confused the electorate. Secondly, there are concerns that its leader was more interested in protesting against the election than in focusing on what would develop the country. These are valid concerns and the MDC needs to go back to the drawing board to review its strategies. A number of key questions need to be addressed. For example, would rejecting the election result make the government rerun the election? It is unlikely. Is further polarisation of the electorate a desirable alternative for the reconstruction of the country? Why can’t the two parties talk and come to a consensus on the way forward?
One thing is clear: Zanu-PF will not bow to the MDC’s demands, especially after observer missions declared the elections free and fair. It is therefore suicidal for the MDC to think that Mugabe will attend to its concerns. However this is not to say the MDC should not continue uncovering the discrepancies that characterised the election. It needs to find ways of engaging Zanu-PF in a way that will restore order and development in the country. There is a need for political maturity on the part of both parties. Zimbabweans need better parties than they currently have.
This view, which is a common one, assumes that Mugabe (and the status quo) is negotiable.
The conclusions above then follow: the continuing crisis in Zimbabwe is more the ‘fault’ of the opposition, who are too stubborn, divided or dumb to find a strategy to reach accommodation.
But grasp that Mugabe is not negotiable and the conclusion is quite different. The opposition’s only options then are (a) to accept he does not intend to give up power and to reach some form of ‘agreement’ that leaves him in power; or (b) refuse to agree he stays in power in which case Mugabe will use force to do so (as he has done).
The truth is not that an opportunity is constantly being ‘lost’ by the leaders in Zimbabwe, but that there are two irreconcileable points of view and no institutional means of bringing about peaceful change.
In short, there is no democracy in Zimbabwe. What we are seeing is a chapter in the long struggle to achieve one.
“Zimbabweans need better parties than they currently have”. This was the only line of your blog that I agree with and that I believe to be current.
That you manage to lay the blame for the current state that Zimbabwe is in at the foot of the MDC, is nothing short of ludicrous. Who has been running Zimbabwe into the ground?
That you would blame the MDC for failing to negotiate with Mad Bob, instead of challenging Mad Bob himself, is shocking.
That you state quite (too?) cooly “No one will take the MDC seriously; instead it is likely to have its members incarcerated”, is horrendous. How one goes from being politically lost to jailed, beats me. How simply deciding not to negotiate is tantamount to a criminal offence, defies all logic. That you would nevertheless, in such a horrible scenario, still find that fault lies with the MDC, is ridiculous.
By the way, as you said, only friends of Mad Bob reject the MDC. Please consider if you are one of them – and by the way, that leaves quite a bit of the world globe over…
That you mention the period leading up to the elections “was free of physical violence”, points to you, yourself, failing to acknowledge that physical violence is a part and parcel of the reality of “dissidents” in Zimbabwe. Are you the only one who hasn’t seen the photos?
Please direct your criticims to Mad Bob, for the state that Zimbabwe is in, instead of blaming the MDC – as if their lack of cooperation with a dictator were the problem. I advise you to re-write that article.
Dress it up anyway you like.
The answer is as simple as the end of Apartheid.
The regime must be removed and the political playing field levelled.
Offering olive branches is akin to Apartheid coming up with their tri-cameral process – not acceptable.
Mugabe lost the referendum in 2000 and was going to loose the nest election. From then on he rigged every election, intimidated and used every trick in the book – including putting Morgan on trial for treason. Morgan was defended by our own George Bizos, Mandela’s own advocate in a trial that lastest a year. If you REALLY want to know what is going on – read George Bizos’ autobiograpy (chapter 43 )
You are writing crap!
“Zimbabweans need better parties than they currently have.”
Ag! You’re just trying to be political correct…in real fact you meant to say Zimbabwe doesn’t need an aging tyrant with an ever-vacuum skull nogal.
Gotcha!!
Lisa
The real reason for this reprint was to show how things have remained unchanged over these years. The crisis has not been resolved; the players are still the same; the approach is still the same; and the list is endless. You missed the point. I did not need to write a new article, I could have easily updated this one, but that would have diluted the principal reason for posting this article in its original format: that Zimbabwe needs more than what Zanu and MDC are offering. My previous articles here and elsewhere have dealt with your reactions on the current context. By the way your point about MDC is valid, but lets be vigilant that we dont elevate MDC to a level where it can not be criticised. This is a party that is likely to govern; we should be conscious that it does not become what we are fighting against.
Dear Sir,
Do you deliberately intend to be offensive to Zimbabweans or are you really that ignorant?
If nothing has changed since you wrote this article, could you tell us whether the 700,000 Zims who had their homes and businesses bulldozed (and some, possibly thousands, died due to exposure of the elderlay and very young) existed, and whether there suffering had the inconvenience to impinge itself apon your awareness?
Or whether you were too busy ignoring them in order to legitimate your poloitical naviety and attempts at journalistic adequecy?
If you really were so out of touch with zimbabwe that you hought nothing had changed (like the morality figures) in the last few years?
Perhpas you would be more able to give us an article relevant to your capabilites, such as the lengths of different pieces of coloured string?
You’re quite right that the article is still relevant even years later and why?
Those in power haven’t changed their approach in ensuring a meaningful change.
@ Bhekinkosi
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my criticism.
You wrote “This is a party that is likely to govern; we should be conscious that it does not become what we are fighting against”.
Surely you are jumping way ahead here. Do you really believe it makes sense to critisize MDC’s role when they are not the ones in power? It would have been like criticising the ANC while the Nats were screwing everything up…
Very importantly, where the heck is your criticism of Bob? Your article was highly skewed.
Yes, things are sadly unchanged (or even worse) but why lay the blame at the foot of the MDC? And why assume that MDC’s failing to accept Mad Bob’s proposal for power sharing is the problem? If nothing has changed, it is because Mad Bob is not willing to hand over the reigns of power. Your article clearly lays the blame elsewhere.
Please write a critique of Bob and save your criticims of MDC for the (please god) time when they are responsible for Zimbabwe.
Those in power cannot ‘change their approach’ to change: there is no machinery for change that is accepted by both sides.
That is the problem in Zimbabwe. It is not a democracy.
Boys and girls ladies and gentlemen,concerning the issue of a beautiful country,and the bread and donnut basket of africa,Zimbabwe.One gentlemen in my local pub asked why is Zimbabwe given such mottivating and prosperous
Boys and girls ,ladies and gentlemen,concerning the issue of a beautiful country,the bread and donnut basket of Africa,Zimbabwe.One gentlemen in my local pub asked why is Zimbabwe given such a motivating, prosperous and legitimate name, l personally,and kindly said “because our farms were white owned”.Then came greedy and non democratic rulers oh! God if l was to choose a catholic leader whos is truly next to you father l would choose Dr Zwelithini MadibaT amen! The economic and political crisis of Zimbabwe lies on Bob,if he was a true liberator without spilling his mate`s blood to take power during the liberation struggle he could have made people of Zimbabwe the most admirable globally but he long excesised turning againgst his fellow comrades what about defenceless MDC and beautiful non violent zimbabweans so what will be his legacey? RG Murambatswina?can somebody give an answer guys l think we should learn to forgive,forget,ask for the knowledge,learn,share intelligence and wealth maybe we can built a former liberation strugglers`s care homes with armed body guards for their safe heaven.