The future of Zimbabwe

The fact that Mugabe, an octogenarian and the oldest president in the world, has refrained from naming a new cabinet following his unanimous victory in the legendary one-candidate presidential run-off is seen by some observers as an indication of his willingness to deal a death blow to the Zimbabwean nation.

In the same vein, the fact that both him and Tsvangirai shook hands when the two met for the first time in a decade symbolises a new dawn for Zimbabwe and his (Mugabe’s) willingness to redress the situation.

While the signing of the MOU may have brought relief to Mbeki, who has long been the target of criticisms over his lacklustre diplomatic mediation between Mugabe and the opposition leader, the South African president may still be under intense pressure to bring the talks, taking place in Pretoria, South Africa, to a fruitful end, by the enthronement of a credible government of national unity (GNU) in Zimbabwe.

From Harare to Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, there is excitement. For some Zimbabweans, the recent talks fill them with nostalgia, as their thoughts now stroll back to the early years of President Mugabe's administration, when he was, for them, a symbol of hope, liberation and African determination.

Recently, Zimbabwe's economic trauma reached its all time peak, forcing the government to introduce a 100 billion Zimbabwean dollar note. Apart from the currency's historic slide that leaves it trading at one British pound to1. 2 trillion Zimbabwean dollars, the government also has to worry about the general economy, which is presently riding on the crest of an inflation rate officially put at 2.2 million percent but appears in reality to be much higher.

In view of the above, the MOU remains the most decisive move in the past ten years to restore political stability and economic sanity to Zimbabwe, a land once regarded as the food basket of Southern Africa and widely courted as the esteemed political bride of many diplomats across the globe.

Rather than inflating their egos to the detriment of the citizenry whose interests both of them claim to be serving, we implore Mugabe and Tsvangirai to strive towards the pursuit of the common good and the entrenchment of democratic ideals in that country, for the betterment of all Zimbabweans.

Putting aside Mugabe's role in the political and economic crises in Zimbabwe, and negotiating a smooth exit for him, can serve as a lubricant for the talks meant to signal a new era for that country.

Whether or not the ongoing talks are concluded in two weeks as stipulated is not the real issue. What is of primary importance is that the talks should yield positive results. While the MDC wants the talks to be premised on Mugabe stepping down and the constitution of a transitional authority to organise new elections, Mugabe’s ZANU-PF is willing to allow MDC members assume leadership of a few ministries, with him accepted as legitimate president and all sanctions against the country lifted to boost the economy.

We are aware of fears in some quarters that Mugabe, renowned for his political craftsmanship and demagogic oratory, might just end up using the proposed government of national unity as a platform to outmanoeuvre his opponents into perpetuating himself in power.

While we do not hope for such a dismal outcome, we maintain that, at the end of it all, the successor to the octogenarian must guard against being used as a puppet, and make it a matter of principle to protect and foster the intrinsic and extrinsic interests of Zimbabweans in particular and Africa at large.