Mugabe has kept many in the dark as to the source of his strength and confidence. Recent developments in Africa show that the Zimbabwean despot has been enjoying the support of some African countries. Many had expected that the Zimbabwe president would get the bashing of his life at the just concluded African Union (AU) summit in Egypt on July 1. They were disappointed, instead of the desired condemnation of the country’s June 27 presidential run-off election, the AU summiteers allowed the embattled president to walk away with what appears to be the first diplomatic victory he needed to consolidate his hold on power.
The unwillingness of the AU to break out of its reticence on the Zimbabwean question has raised more questions than answers. Why has the AU refused to act in the face of growing isolation of Mugabe by
the global community? It had been hoped that the Union would muster the political will to condemn his re-elections and provide the international community the needed platform to ease him out of power.
The admonition by the African body to both Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, the presidential candidate of Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, to initiate dialogue is a show of weakness, to say the least. If African leaders knew what was good for the situation, they ought to have joined their Western counterparts to call for severe sanction against the unpopular regime.
The AU glove-in-hand treatment has emboldened Mugabe to ridicule his detractors and dare the Western world. The Zimbabwean strongman has always boasted that the West can hang itself and that it has no basis and a claim on Zimbabwe politics. I do not understand why African leaders are commending what goes on in that country. Zimbabwe has always claimed that it receives the support of Gabon and Eritrea. Not only that, it also maintained that it also gets the support of African political leaders. It is then clear that a divided Africa on Zimbabwe crisis cannot proffer solution to the reign of oppression in that nation.
Whether Mugabe gets the support of majority of African countries or not, the truth is that the despot lost the general election. And so the outcome of the run-off election does not confer legitimacy on his
government. I am glad that some African countries opposed to his re-election are determined to see him out of power. Many of them have already called for his suspension from the AU and SADC at the AU
summit. These African countries like Botswana, Senegal and Sierra Leone, among others, have to make their stance relevant by mobilising other African countries to put pressure on Mugabe to quit office. If
the run-off election results are allowed to stand, they would bring shame to the entire Africa.
The people of Zimbabwe have been denied their democratic rights, and we should in no uncertain terms condemn what has happened. It is my view, therefore, that the AU has to wake from its slumber and engage both parties to form a transitional government that would prepare Zimbabwe for fresh elections. Although there are indications that Mugabe may not like the power-sharing arrangement, the proposal
should be made. The efficacy of the power-sharing arrangement has already been seen in Kenya. If it worked in Kenya, I think it can work in Zimbabwe.
If Mugabe rejects the offer as he is wont to do, the international community should consider imposing stiffer sanctions on his country.Such sanction should be targeted at the officials of his regime. The
time has come for the international community to act strongly against the Zimbabwean strongman. I expect the United States of America,(USA), that is in the forefront of Western campaign against the
current regime in the country, to articulate and consult on measures that might be taken. And it would make sense to deny the government of Zimbabwe the means to conduct violence on its own people.
Like the proverbial cat with nine lives, Mugabe has survived several sanctions and isolation, including his suspension by the Commonwealth. But as opposition mounts against his regime, it is doubtful if he can pull through.
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