It is a few days today since the unity government marked its first 100 days in office and the temptation, indeed what many from both sides of the political divide would rather have us do, is to conclude that the administration is generally on the right track.And that the only setback – one that for that matter shall be overcome in due course – has been resistance by a minority group of military generals and hardliner elements from President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) party who have attempted to block meaningful political reform because that would destroy their power and way of life.
We refuse to be hoodwinked! The re-arrest of Jestina Mukoko and the MDC activists two weeks ago, the arrest of journalists and lawyer Alec Muchadehama last week, to name only a few of the problems that have marked this government’s brief reign, were not and could never be the actions of a fading and isolated minority.
We dare say that the so-called residual and retrogressive minority are in fact the people running Zanu (PF) today and at the head of the table sits none other than Mugabe himself.
Having lost their dubious claim to power and legitimacy in the vote of March 29, 2008, Mugabe and company have simply changed tactics.
They have decided to merely limp on. They accepted power sharing but only as a survival strategy to get the MDC to mobilise donor support and stabilise the economy but without Zanu (PF) giving much away.
It is clear that the strategy of Zanu (PF) is to delay political and other critical reforms for as long is necessary to ensure that by the time the two-year life span of the unity government lapses nothing much would have changed in the way we conduct electoral politics in the country. That way they hope they can make a come back.
Yes, there are efforts to write a new and democratic constitution and we have seen the progress made by the unity government in education, health and other sectors.
African institutions and governments have chipped in with more than US$1 billion in credit lines while there are signs that even Western countries might just be willing to reconsider their stance on Zimbabwe.
These are encouraging developments but do not at all mean that change is guaranteed – not when the old regime is putting up such a spirited fight to defend its power and privilege.
We have no doubt that the unity government represents a tipping point in the life of our nation.
But we believe that as Zimbabweans audit the performance of the unity government to date they need to and must demand answers why in this New Era’ journalists are still being arrested for exposing torturers and human rights violators and lawyers jailed for doing their job of defending clients.
Why and under what authority do military commanders refuse to salute the Prime Minister of the country simply because they do not like his politics? It’s over to you Zimbabweans.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga