Small Wars Journal

Dealing with the Crisis in Zimbabwe

Wed, 08/26/2009 - 5:43pm
Dealing with the Crisis in Zimbabwe

The Role of Economics, Diplomacy, and Regionalism

by Logan Cox and Dr. David A. Anderson

Dealing with the Crisis in Zimbabwe (Full PDF Article)

Once, one of the better run economies in Africa, Zimbabwe has descended into one of the worst, above only Somalia and Sudan. Zimbabwe's history is one common to most of Africa: European colonization, minority rule followed by a war for independence, and subsequent autocratic rule by a leader from the independence struggle. Despite sanctions to oust the white-minority rule, the economy of Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), was able to grow and to develop import substitution products. After transfer to majority rule, particularly after chaotic land reforms in 2000, the economy of Zimbabwe has been in steep decline, with foreign investment vanishing and a willful dismantling of the commercial agricultural base of the economy. The Southern Africa Development Community was formed to improve the conditions of its member states but has been ineffective in positively affecting the situation in Zimbabwe. The member countries are inwardly focused due to inherent economic weaknesses, and the leaders of the SADC and member countries are institutionally un—to criticize a revolutionary leader from one of the independence movements of the 1970s. Since the SADC finally was able to push a unity government in Zimbabwe, the SADC must assume its declared role as a forum for regional stability and economic progress. The United States and other western countries and international institutions must be —to assist in the rebuilding of Zimbabwe through focused and closely monitored aid, while insisting on political and economic reforms. There may be an enduring role for U.S. AFRICOM to play in the region as well.

Dealing with the Crisis in Zimbabwe (Full PDF Article)

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Comments

I am Zimbabwean living in England and I used to live in Harare, I must say that my country has been ruined by world's biggest terrorist which is Mugabe, look at the exchange rate, poverty, economic conditions of Zimbabwe. When I think about it my heart really goes, I wonder why Mugabe does not let citizens of Zimbabwe decide the future of the country and also Mugabe must realize that he is in power since last 30 years his mind is getting old and he cannot think the same as young generation can think, so he must resign for the better of Zimbabweans. Thank you

M-A Lagrange

Sun, 08/30/2009 - 4:48am

There are few things which are often forgotten about Zimbabwe.

First, Mugabe is a convinced Leninist Maoist Communist. All its efforts have been turned to make Zimbabwe a rural communist country lead by a tiny handful of military leaders. This comes from his time in the rebellion when he was trained by the Chinese. All its politics follows that rational. Forgetting it is missing the point on why he chose to impose his land reform. In such perspective, his economical choices were fully rational as he was looking to nationalise all productive sectors. The economic pattern he was following is the one in place in Burma. In that extend, all major economical positions are hold by former military responding only to Mugabe. This may turn a classical scheme to rebuild Zimbabwe economy to a failure as economical tools are in the hands of the security apparatus.
Mugabe used this to shift political confrontation from the classical political/security field to the economic field. If Tsangerai is coming from the union and MDC, at its roots, a federation of union movements is not a singularity but the consequence of this.

Secondly Mugabe has developed a scheme of governance that we called sustainable dictatorship with a colleague of mine, developed and published in an article published in French in the revue: Politique Etrangere called Zimbabwe: reflection sur la dictature durable (in english: Zimbabwe: reflection on sustainable dictatorship)
( http://www.ifri.org/frontDispatcher/ifri/publications/politique_etrange… )
As with ZAPU, Mugabe is integrating MDC into ZANU apparatus by opening government position to new comers. But he did not drop his grip on security. And, as mentioned previously, as most of the main companies have been either formally nationalised, either in the hands of former liberation fighters. Therefore, he still has control of economy.
Also, there is a parallel administration in place make of former liberation fighters. They respond only to Mugabe and are the real ruling body of Zimbabwe.
Therefore he is still monopolising power space. Opening to MDC is only apparent, to please a West that he hates for good reasons. (We should not forget what "we" did to him. Smith did not just put him in jail but also denied him to burry properly his son... )

Finally and not the least, Mugabe did won the war against Ian Smith. He fought the apartheid of South Africa. He supported and was supported by all liberation movement in Austral Africa. Mugabe is not just a crazy African dictator. He is a symbol of the African fight for pride and liberty. In Europe, De Gaule and Tito were nothing different. What ever choices he made for his country (that I do not support), he has a support that goes further than economical opportunities. Even if the analyse of SADC economical choices and reluctance to stop him for those reason is extremely well presented and accurate.
South Africa new president is a brother in arms of him as was Thabo Mbeki. Forgetting that Austral Africa is free since less than 30 years is like forgetting that in the US Luther King was killed in the 60 and segregation stopped less than 50 years ago.

If China just gave billions to Mugabe while western powers are reluctant to fund Tsangerai does not help neither.
But a purely economical approach will not chance a single ting as long as Bob is on power (alive). Zimbabweans have understand it and are just waiting for him to die, counting on the fact that he is old and time will be quicker than HIV/AID that is killing them.
First of all, it is that issue that international community has to focus on.
All the money of the world will not rebuild a country in which productive forces are just disappearing. Bob can remain in power and do what he wants, he will not live forever. But if we do not want to save an empty graveyard, we better urge to support health sector and overflow the place with food aid and HIV drugs.
As just told me a Zimbabwean friend, here there are two things: either you starve and youre on the safe side, either you have HIV/AID and youre dead. Unfortunately, shes not starving.