This year is the 20th anniversary of that event and it clearly marks for them a moment of intense happiness when the divisions of the past both symbolised and physically concretised by the wall were put behind them. Their ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr Albrecht Conze, used the occasion to express his countrys desire to assist Zimbabwe in their endeavour to tear down walls of another kind; to work for the healing of wounds; to bring back optimism and hope; to see this great country flourish once again. These may be carefully chosen diplomatic words but they express the sincere desire of many countries to see Zimbabwe recover from its recent crisis.
And it is not just words. Germany has committed $60 million to water services and food security as well as strengthening governance structures during the current year. Together with other countries they want to encourage Zimbabwe to move forward and use the good will that is being offered. However they find they cannot be wholehearted about it because of what they call current political obstacles. They do not spell these out because everyone knows. We live in a country where good news is quickly followed by bad news and vice versa. We cannot say we are on a steady course towards a solution of our problems or the removal of these CPOs. In fact it would be a perfectly understandable position to say the situation is about to go backwards. There is a creeping militarisation of civil services, a refusal to re-establish the rule of law or respect for human rights and no progress in unblocking access to a free media.
There is even a particular meaning of the word inclusive: it means more or less what Ian Smith meant by bringing Abel Muzorewa on board: you are included for the sake of appearances so that sanctions are eased and money starts to flow in again. But do not think that you can make any real change in the way power is exercised. So we continue to live our daily lives a day at a time. One day we feel the door might, just might, be opened wide. The next day we see every evidence that it is about to be firmly closed again. The whole nation is tortured by hopes and disappointments. So how will it end? The Psalmist has this to say:
My feet were on the point of stumbling,
a little further and I should have slipped,
envying the arrogant as I did,
and watching the wicked get rich
Until the day I pierced the mystery
They are on a slippery slope, you put them there,
You urge them on to ruin,
Until suddenly they fall,
done for, terrified to death
Psalm 73
Post published in: Opinions