Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirais party boycotted the visit entirely, after expressing its disapproval.
It became glaringly obvious that the visit was between Ahmadinejad and Zanu (PF) not the inclusive government of Zimbabwe
But it went ahead anyway. Ahmadinejad was given the red-carpet treatment Zanu (PF) leaders welcomed him on the tarmac at Harare International Airport. A 21-gun salute boomed. A state banquet was held and he was given the rare privilege of opening the ZITF in Bulawayo an accolade that has not been accorded to any other leader outside SADC.
What is so special, about Ahmadinejad? What has he done for Zimbabwe? apart from increasing our debt burden.
The MDC was reduced to standing on the side lines denouncing the visit. This was clear testimony that it has no power in this so-called power-sharing arrangement.
We feel that Ahmadinejads visit was ill-advised, and served no purpose except to advance the interests of Zanu (PF) whatever they may be.
The people of Zimbabwe got nothing from the visit.
When Prime Minister Tsvangirai invited the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak, to visit Zimbabwe last year, Mugabe refused him entry into the country. He was left kicking his heels at Johannesburg International Airport.
So Mugabes guests can come and visit – no matter how strong the objection from MDC, and no matter how reviled they might be by the international community. But Tsvangirais guests cannot enter the country if Mugabe does not like them, no matter how internationally respected they might be. A further point to note is that Nowak represents the United Nations of which Zimbabwe is a member.
Is it not time for the MDC to admit that this power-sharing arrangement is not working? Is it not time to appeal again to SADC, as the guarantors of the agreement, to step in and stop this ridiculous charade?
The MDC stands the real risk of alienating its support base by allowing itself to continue playing second fiddle to Zanu which has no electoral mandate to rule Zimbabwe.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga