Outsourcing of terror:Mugabe

It is believed that dozens of MDC supporters were tortured and murdered

before the June 29 presidential run-off election in Zimbabwe. Others were

driven from their homes as the politically motivated violence reached a

crescendo. The results were what some had wanted – Robert Mugabe was

“reelected” president of Zimbabwe. 

The past few weeks showed more lights into how the campaign of violence was

orchestrated. Two divergent sources reported that the Junta that was running

Zimbabwe between the dates of the elections hired some outside help to

orchestrate the violence. They went to a source that has had success in the

past, but two different nations. They went to the Force Democratic de

Liberation du Rwanda (Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda): FDLR. This

group has a history that only a dictator could love. 

First of all, who are the FDLR? 

They were the perpetrators of the worst case of genocide since the end of

the Second World War. In a period of several weeks and estimated 800,000

people were murdered in the presence of United Nation Peace keepers. The

FDLR were driven out of the country by forces led by the current President

Paul Kagame of Rwanda. They were maintaining bases in the eastern Democratic

Republic of Congo. 

The activities of the FDLR in Zimbabwe did not come as surprise to many. A

Senior leader of the FDLR, Protais Mpiranya, who was the former Commander of

the Rwandan Presidential Guards is currently under the protection of the

Zimbabwean government. Forces under his direct command are believed to have

sexually assaulted and murdered then Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana

and 10 Belgian Paratroopers that had orders to protect her. 

The actions of the JOC (Joint Operations Command) and ZANU-PF that were

taken to ensure that they won the elections seem to follow some of the

strategies the FDLR used in Rwanda. According to some eyewitness reports,

the Rwandan exiles have been leaving refugee camps to join in the carnage.

According to press reports, the Rwandans have been even more vicious in

their attacks than ZANU-PF supporters and security forces. 

This brings up an interesting situation. When Russia and China vetoed the

resolution at the United Nations Security Council, one of the reasons given

was that the situation within Zimbabwe had no international implications.

But the government of Botswana is dealing with hundreds of Zimbabwean

refugees who fled their country as result of economic hardship and political

violence. Moscow and Beijing should understand that the crisis in Zimbabwe

has international implications. Could this be the last straw that breaks the

camel’s back with the “mediation” efforts of president Mbeki of South

Africa? 

At the very least, this has been indicative of what depths Robert Mugabe

would take to ensure that he would remain in power. Also it shows to what

steps the security forces were willing to take to ensure that Morgan

Tsvangari would not become president of Zimbabwe which, according to various

sources, was what he did on March 29. 

Now a Government of National Unity has been proposed for Zimbabwe. With the

actions of the security forces over the last few months it is not a feasible

idea in the eyes of many people. As long as the FDLR are active in Zimbabwe

no one is safe in the country.

Post published in: News