Robert Mugabe managed to keep three US Humanitarian Elders out of Zimbabwe but these members have given Mr. Mugabe and the leaders of southern Africa an earful on Monday about Zimbabwe’s grave humanitarian crisis. They asserted that these leaders should act more responsibly in resolving these issues. Former US President Jimmy Cater, part of the humanitarian group barred from Zimbabwe, was president at the time Robert Mugabe rose to power at the end of white minority rule in Zimbabwe in 1981. However, Mr. Carter said Mr. Mugabe was being callous toward his people and acted as if he did not know the crisis going on Zimbabwe. He directed his attacks at the Southern African Development Community, the SADC, as well, who are known to be soft towards Mr. Mugabe.
The carter group was able to talk to Zimbabwean’s opposition officials, South Africa’s president, Western diplomats, UN representatives, and Zimbabweans who fled their country. They concluded that Zimbabwean’s collapsing public services - health, education, sanitation, water – could not be resolved until a power-sharing deal between Mr. Mugabe and the opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, took effect and the country had a functioning government again. Even though both leaders already signed a power-sharing deal two months ago, Mr. Mugabe has yet to hold up his end of the bargain.
The SADC should bring its full weight to bear to ensure the agreement is fully implemented at the next meeting. Under the agreement, Mr. Mugabe would remain president while Mr. Tsvangirai would become prime minister. However, they have been feuding over how to divide the most powerful ministries, and particularly over control of the police force, which is now used an engine of Mr. Mugabe’s repressive rule. He stays in power through his influence and power over this ministry. Once his power is taken or divided over the police force, then he influence should decrease over all other ministries. This would undoubtedly direct the nation towards progressiveness instead of the present façade of democracy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/world/africa/25zimbabwe.html?ref=africa
No comments:
Post a Comment