Zimbabwe cannot resolve its crisis through the deal
Since the signing of the historic power sharing deal between Zanu PF and the two MDC formations, most Zimbabweans have been waiting for the unknown and uncertain like a pregnant woman. A pregnant woman is under constant worry about whether or not she will deliver a normal healthy baby. She is also concerned with the risks of miscarriage and still births both which are probable dangers during pregnancy. Zimbabweans have grown to be anxious about whether the deal will work or not and most of them have been cautious of the deal.
When looking at the whole gestation period, that is the negotiation process, one realises that the period has been a painful, tiring and difficult one. The way the negotiation process has been progressing can be compared to a pregnant woman suffering serious complications due to the pregnancy. The complications surrounding the negotiations can be seen as a cue of the struggles and challenges people of Zimbabwe are likely to face as a result of the signed agreement. There have been a couple of deadlocks recently on the allocation of ministries and Mugabe is not yielding on the governors and nothing has been said on the allocation of ambassadorial posts. There is still no common ground from the party leaders and one is left to wonder how the government of national unity is going to function. There are serious ideological differences between the two parties which makes it practically impossible to believe in the capacity of the GNU to deliver people of Zimbabwe from the mire that they are in. Tsvangirai who won the 2008 March harmonised elections is still Mugabe’s junior partner or a junior brother, he still reports to Mugabe and Mugabe does not necessarily report to anyone. He still enjoys a high degree of autonomy.
The pregnant Zimbabwe will give birth to a Down syndrome baby, a baby without the capability to function or do anything for itself. . All the expectations and hope will be replaced by disillusionment, misery and pain and the people of Zimbabwe will continue to live in dire straits.
Thursday, October 9th 2008 at 11:19 am
I think you are right, the chances of Zimbabwe resolving its crisis through the deal are nil. Anyone following the dialogue process can see that nothing will come out of it. May be the solution for Zimbabwe does not lie in negotiations but may be in Zimbabweans redefining themselves and prostesting and rejecting any form of injustice.
Friday, October 10th 2008 at 2:12 pm
I am sorry Fungisai I do not share the same view with you. We do not want such pessimists, we are trying to rebuild our country and things cannot be perfect from the beginning. These guys are trying their best. Lets try to be patient with them and appreciate the pains they go through in an effort to reedem the nation. Give the three leaders a chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, October 11th 2008 at 2:14 pm
The point of negotiating is to make sure the MDC is in the right. If the MDC was to become a violent opposition, Mugabe would at once have the excuse he needs for a violent crackdown, which would include massacres and mass arrests. Leading MDC figures would be executed if caught.
The international community would offer no support, because the MDC would have put itself in the wrong. And generally, uprisings against dictators are not supported either in the UN or Washington. Remember for instance the Shia uprising against Saddam in 1991. Or look at Burma – no substantial help has been given to the Burmese.
Wednesday, October 15th 2008 at 4:38 pm
Zimbabweans should cease to be patient and always be in waiting mode. I think peaceful demonstrations to get out of the jamlock should be pursued. We are tired of being reasonable and understanding and all that mushy stuff but it is not working at all. Why should we continue this way? …and for how long. Madhuku and Williams have been very exemplary in this regard and I think the more we give our active support the better. When the word protest is used, people jump to the conclusion of a people fighting a government, why?
Thursday, October 16th 2008 at 9:29 pm
The only possibility of any peaceful resolution is through this deal. The only people who have the capacity to get Mugabe out are SADC and the AU. It’s not much, but it’s all we’ve got. The MDC won an election but the incumbent party that lost won’t go. Either the MDC has to overthrow them violently or through this sort of diplomacy. The “masses” won’t do anything now – ZANU(PF) has broken their desire to force change. The only “resistance” (with the notable exception of WOZA) comes from NGOs, “intellectuals” and bloggers, none of whom, quite honestly, will be able to effect any change directly. They can only provide those who can pressure Mugabe (SADC and the AU) with relevant information, which it not in itself a bd thing. But it still comes down to some sort of deal.
Friday, October 17th 2008 at 2:17 pm
The pregnant woman analogy is good. To focus on the negative aspects of this condition is ok, too. But to overlook the positive aspects- and I am sure there have to be some although I cannot speak with authority, since I an never be pregnant…So, too, with the deal. Instant change? Where has that ever happened? Foundation for hope, most definitely. Will the bickering end, a semblance of common ground found? Yes. So the pregnant woman give birth to a healthy baby, strapping twins,triplets, etc. I choose to focus on that possibility, without losing sight of the possibility of the other outcome, yet not allowing the fear of that outcome to cloud my vision. This country belongs to neither the MDC or ZANU PF…
Wednesday, July 29th 2009 at 4:38 pm
Kubatana.net speaks out from Zimbabwe » Blog Archive » Zimbabwe cannot resolve its crisis through the deal great article thank you.
Sunday, December 27th 2009 at 4:11 pm
I think you are right, the chances of Zimbabwe resolving its crisis through the deal are nil. Anyone following the dialogue process can see that nothing will come out of it. May be the solution for Zimbabwe does not lie in negotiations but may be in Zimbabweans redefining themselves and prostesting and rejecting any form of injustice.