Some Zimbabweans are skeptical about the prospects of an AU intervention, calling it too little too late. This comes after African dignitaries, including former heads of state, signed a petition calling on the government to end escalated violence ahead of the run-off. But some political analysts believe the AU does not have the capacity to put pressure on Mugabe to ensure a free and fair vote.
“I think I would say that it’s about time the African Union made a stand against Robert Mugabe. It’s really an embarrassment to the African Union. No one can stop him Â
from doing whatever he wants,” John Makumbe, a political science professor at the University of Zimbabwe, said.He believes that there are many options the AU can employ to pressure Mugabe into ensuring an end to the escalating violence and a free and fair vote later this month.
“The African Union can flood Zimbabwe with observers for this run-off election, and they can make sure that the people they send into Zimbabwe go to the rural areas as well as to the urban areas. They could give Mugabe the ultimatum to stop the violence that he is perpetrating in Zimbabwe. They might have to put together a standing army, which can be flown into Zimbabwe to do peacekeeping work during the elections and after the elections. They can do any of those things reasonably quickly,” he said.
Makumbe said the inability of the AU to help end the violence and ensure a free vote in the upcoming run-off would be seen as a failure.
“It will impact very negatively on the African Union; it will clearly send a Â
message that the African Union is a toothless bulldog.”
Post published in: News