The Low Down On Zimbabwe

Like many Zimbabweans I hoped that the recently signed Global Political Agreement (GPA) by the three principals of the parties involved in perennial Zimbabwean saga namely MDC- Tsvangirai and MDC-Mutambara and the demonic Zanu PF would offer respite to millions of Zimbabweans who for over 10 years have suffered horribly at the hands of Zanu PF. Just yesterday News Of Black Interest was reporting that we have the highest per capita dependency on food aid. Instead the GPA is like a mirage in dessert, it offers hopes but delivers a startlingly different reality.

Look at the current behaviour of Zanu PF, their breaches of the terms of the GPA, the unilateral re-appointments of the Central Bank Governor Gono and the Attorney General Tomana. There is the continuing flagrant breaches of human rights, the harassment and arbitrary arrests of MDC activists, journalists and lawyers. If that was not enough add odd behaviour that all staff employed by Prime Minister Tsvangirai has not been paid now for over 3 months, apparently Zanu PF is refusing to recognise them as civil servants. Recently The Prime Minister was turned away from a State banquet at the State House. There is the issue of continued invasion of farms.

What Zanu PF is showing is its defiance and on the other hand MDC is showing tenacity to opened avenues of government. What needs to be answered is whether Zanu PF still holds all the cards. Some of their strength is slipping away; one clear example of that is structure of the Ministry of Finance. Biti does not have a deputy that was in response to Zanu PF's demands that the Defence Minister will not be deputised. Its obvious the the shadowy military Junta named Joint Operations Command (JOC) made up of Zimbabwe's service chiefs, that actually rules Zimbabwe demanded that the Defence Ministry go to Zanu PF and that no MDC deputy to serve in this Ministry. It all goes back to the 2002 Presidential Elections when the JOC held a press conference and announced that they would not salute a President with no liberation war credentials. It would have been a climb down for them to salute an MDC Deputy Minister of Defence so they demanded that Defence will be served with one Minister.In a counter move MDC demanded that the Finance Ministry will have no deputy. Both are key ministries, its hard to decide which one is the most important. But think of it, Zanu PF managed to bankroll the suppression of ordinary Zimbabweans because they controlled the Treasury purse. If Biti's plans to circumvent Zimbabwe's Central Bank comes to fruitation then MDC will have not only matched Zanu PF but outwitted them.

Biti is planning to hold all loans, grants and aid in Africa's Development Bank, disbursing small amounts from that bank directly to the recipients on basis of when its needed. That way MDC will have ensured that Gono, the man who printed money in Zimbabwe will never be able to hold literal any penny that comes into Zimbabwe. I do not know what would happen if the economy picks up, I mean concerning revenue that the Government might generate from taxes and duties. I am sure Biti has a plan.

The other issue the structure of the GPA is such that Tsvangirai taken a bigger chunk of the government. If my estimates do not fail me then all members of MDC's National Council which is made up of Provincial Chairpersons, The National Executive, The Management Committee have been absorbed into the government. It might not make much difference or can also be met with accusations of a bloated cabinet however Tsvangirai has realised its better to fight Zanu PF on its own turf. Yes time will tell whether the idea will work or not.

Lastly remember that the GPA is temporary that means that once we have a new constitution then elections will be held again in Zimbabwe. For now we are watching Zanu PF and we have a couple of tricks as well up our sleeves. Like calling the AU to mediate. As for the pleas for financial aid from the Prime Minister, I think the West should heed those pleas, because if GPA fails because of lack of money it might precipitate demise of MDC.

I am back again soon to talk about Aid to Africa in general, till then Tara.

I am back

Hey how have you been?

I took a long breather, a lot of things happened, me and my wife were blessed with a baby boy we named Johnta, Tanatswa on Christmas day last year. So taking care of the older brother Dashiel, helping his mommy as well gobbled up most of my time.

Add work, voluntary work, also maintain the MDC UK & Ireland website and my studies it takes a bigger toll.

However my love for Zimbabwe compels me to write again sometimes one gets so outraged at the slow process of change.

The Global Political Agreement (GPA) that MDC and Zanu PF agreed to gave people hope that the situation in Zimbabwe might finally change. But events in Zimbabwe say something different.

I am back and I will be posting soon my analysis of the situation in Zimbabwe.