Sanctions backfire says think-tank

The South African Institute of Security Studies (ISS) believes the imposition of measures by western nations has actually assisted Zanu (PF) to win support from those opposed to US and European policies in general.

Mugabe has cunningly turned the whole sanctions issue into what he regards as an anti-imperialist crusade portraying himself as a victim of western imperialist forces – and that has resonated among other dictators in Africa and abroad.

Although a travel ban may have had an initial impact in the sense that it limited the free movement of targeted individuals, it appears that the impact was not severe enough to compel such persons to change their behaviour, the think-tank said in a report titled Zimbabwe: Are Targeted Sanctions Smart Enough? On the Efficacy of International Restrictive Measures.

Mugabe has persistently and viciously attacked anyone who supports the targeted measures as a puppet of the West. Morgan Tsvangirais MDC party has been on the receiving end of much opprobrium over this issue, as have the British and American governments and the European Union.

Mugabe has persistently denied that his corruption, contempt for the rule of law and human rights, and economic policies have led to the destruction of Zimbabwes once vibrant and diverse economy – instead blaming what he called “unjustified” and “illegal” sanctions intended to bring regime change.

“The sanctions must be lifted. We should have no interference from outside,” Mugabe told the world in an interview with CNN last year. “The continued imperialist interference in our affairs is affecting our country adversely.”

He depicted himself as an African hero battling imperialism and foreign attempts to oust him rather than the widespread perception of a dictator clinging to power at the expense of the welfare of his people and country. He and his minions have repeated this mantra at every possible occasion ever since.

The ISS cited Mugabes manipulative use of terminology as the main reason for the targeted measures to find support in Africa.

In this sense these measures have, in fact, been counterproductive, serving to stabilise the Mugabe regime by providing it with an alibi, says the ISS report.

Mugabes party has refused to comply with many of the terms of the GPA, insisting that Morgan Tsvangirai and the MDC lobby for the removal of the measures, which actually apply to only some 200 senior members of Zanu (PF)s inner circle. They include visa restrictions, an asset freeze and arms embargo.

For those people who still wield authority to constantly bleat about being disqualified from certain benefits because of the conduct of the self-same people is to insult the intelligence of the hundreds of countries and thousands of organisations that wish Zimbabwe well, said respected economist John Robertson recently, writing on the issue of Mythical sanctions.