The dispatch of a high-level European Union delegation to Zimbabwe at the weekend was a calculated risk that was well worth taking. It provided an important signal of support for Morgan Tsvangirai, the embattled prime minister, in his valiant efforts to share power with President Robert Mugabe and reverse decades of political repression and economic incompYet the international dilemma remains: how can more assistance be given to rescue the country from bankruptcy as long as Mr Mugabe and his political cronies keep control of the security apparatus and continue to persecute their opponents?
The answer is certainly not to lift the targeted sanctions that have been imposed on the Zimbabwean president and his closest associates. They include measures to restrict travel and control the international bank accounts of selected individuals. They were imposed because of the humanitarian offences being committed in Zimbabwe, such as arbitrary arrests and prosecution of political opponents, illegal land seizures, and rampant corruption. As long as such behaviour continues the sanctions should remain in force.
Yet there has been a significant improvement in living conditions of ordinary Zimbabweans since the formation of the coalition government. It is primarily due to the stabilisation of rampant inflation thanks to the dollarisation of the economy. The massively devalued Zimbabwe dollar has effectively ceased to be a currency, replaced by US dollars and South African rands. The tentative recovery in economic activity still only a fraction of its former level should be encouraged.
One problem is that Mr Mugabe still controls the central bank through his personal appointee as governor, Gideon Gono. He is not trusted by international aid donors, having presided for years over a system of rationing scarce foreign exchange reserves for the benefit of the elite. Although dollarisation has limited his room for manoeuvre, any serious effort to provide more aid will be constrained until there is a new regime at the bank.
In the meantime, aid could and should be channelled wherever possible through ministries controlled by Mr Tsvangirais appointees, or directly through aid agencies and non-governmental organisations. It is not ideal, but until Mr Mugabe fulfils his side of the coalition agreement, and relinquishes control of the economy and police, it is the only option.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga