The Comfort of Validation
If there is no resistance to wrong-doing, no outside source monitoring interior events, to evaluate and give some measure of balance to a predatorial tyrant's misuse of authority, particularly by those whose own measured manner of governance stands as a template, then silence is taken as validation.In Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is surrounded by other nations and their leaders, all of whom could, if they wished to do so, point out to Robert Mugabe that his tenure as the country's wrecking ball is finished.
As the most senior, most respected, and emotionally closest ally to this rogue elder statesman, the current South African President, Thabo Mbeki, has the potential - should he choose to exercise it - to persuade that criminally delusional man to finally step aside for the good of his country. To help cure Mr. Mugabe of the delusion that he is the kindly father of Zimbabwe.
Instead, President Mbeki speaks of the virtues of "silent diplomacy". Urging courtesy to another principal in the continent's struggle against colonialism and Apartheid.
The silent agony of the hundreds of thousands of starving Zimbabweans does not appear to nudge President Mbeki's conscience, any more than it does that of the man whose self aggrandizing dictatorship brought the former regional breadbasket of plenty to the plight it now wallows in.
A once-proud and wealthy country whose economy has been so severely degraded that a majority of its people is unemployed and in dire want. A country whose education and health systems were once the pride of the region, now struggling with an immense deterioration in both services, with a population facing an ever rising tide of HIV/AIDS infections.
The once trusted, once beloved leader of the country has become an international pariah, but not to his loyal neighbours. Feared and loathed by most Zimbabweans anxious to see the end of his ruinous governing, Robert Mugabe glories in victory.
This, though the Zimbabwean electoral commission has not yet produced an official result of the presidential vote. And although that official result has been deliberately withheld, Mr. Mugabe's party is demanding a recount. While proclaiming him the majority winner. And just incidentally alleging irregularities, and taking the peculiarly sinister step of arresting several election officials.
Mr. Mugabe's opponents from within the unemployed, distressed, starving communities within the country face the prospect of violence as loyal police and armed militias make their armed presence known. Those whom Mr. Mugabe's generosity has awarded a comfortable lifestyle agitate to counter the claims of misrule and depraved violations of human rights.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai claims to have won the vote, and there has been much evidence, although nothing official, to support his contention, post-March 29 polls. He has held talks with the newly-elected head of the African National Congress, so perhaps Mr. Mbeki's successor is not in agreement with South Africa's stance.
A Harare judge is ready to rule on the MDC's bid to force a declaration on the results of the vote. The UN's Ban Ki-moon has urged the election commission to release the poll results "expeditiously and with transparency". The European Union calls for the poll results to be released "without further delay". The U.S. State Department calls the results "overdue".
But the ruling Zanu-PF insists there was no clear winner, and a runoff must be held.
And in the meantime, a now-genial President Mugabi greets his ardent supporters, sends out the police and the army to ensure order, calls on his faithful "war veterans" to seize whatever few remaining white-owned farms are still in operation in the land. A reprise of the original reason for the collapse of the agricultural sector in the country, and with it the economy in total, as once bountiful farms lie fallow, and people starve.
However, in solidarity with his fellow liberationist of Black Africa from its imperialistic masters, Thabo Mbeki cautions quietly that no action be taken: "I think there is time to wait".
Labels: Political Realities, Societal Failures, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, April 08, 2008
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