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Zimbabwe's Opposition: Playing into Mugabe's Hands?
August 26, 2004 4:21 PM
Robert Mugabe barely kept his job as president of Zimbabwe in 2002, by way of an election marred by fraud and intimidation. Unimpressed with Mugabe's reforms for the next presidential vote in March, his main opposition has responded by threatening to boycott the election -- virtually guaranteeing Mugabe's lock on power.
The Movement for Democratic Change, which holds 57 of the Parliament's 120 elected seats, said it will not take part in elections until Mugabe agrees to adhere to the election standards set up by the Southern African Development Community, a group of 14 nations that includes Zimbabwe. In the words of MDC spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi:
"Until there are tangible signs the government is prepared to enforce the SADC protocols on elections, the national executive has today decided to suspend participation in all forms of elections in Zimbabwe."
On Thursday, the governments of Great Britain and South Africa echoed the call for reform, which is obviously needed. However, the MDC boycott only strengthens Mugabe's hand, allowing his government to portray the opposition as sore losers. Hence government minister Patrick Chinamasa's reaction to the boycott:
"They have lost the confidence of Zimbabweans and will not win elections. It is their democratic right not to be embarrassed and we will not lose sleep over that."
Real election reforms are clearly required, but denying voters a viable alternative seems like a poor strategy. What's needed is pressure from other SADC members for Zimbabwe to enforce agreed-upon guidelines like media freedom and independent observers. Mugabe's reluctance to take these steps only reinforces the perception that a fair election -- which would likely end his reign -- is precisely what he doesn't want.
- Jeff Fleischer
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This article has been made possible by the Foundation for National Progress, the Investigative Fund of Mother Jones, and gifts from generous readers like you.
© 2004 The Foundation for National Progress
August 26, 2004 4:21 PM
Robert Mugabe barely kept his job as president of Zimbabwe in 2002, by way of an election marred by fraud and intimidation. Unimpressed with Mugabe's reforms for the next presidential vote in March, his main opposition has responded by threatening to boycott the election -- virtually guaranteeing Mugabe's lock on power.
The Movement for Democratic Change, which holds 57 of the Parliament's 120 elected seats, said it will not take part in elections until Mugabe agrees to adhere to the election standards set up by the Southern African Development Community, a group of 14 nations that includes Zimbabwe. In the words of MDC spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi:
"Until there are tangible signs the government is prepared to enforce the SADC protocols on elections, the national executive has today decided to suspend participation in all forms of elections in Zimbabwe."
On Thursday, the governments of Great Britain and South Africa echoed the call for reform, which is obviously needed. However, the MDC boycott only strengthens Mugabe's hand, allowing his government to portray the opposition as sore losers. Hence government minister Patrick Chinamasa's reaction to the boycott:
"They have lost the confidence of Zimbabweans and will not win elections. It is their democratic right not to be embarrassed and we will not lose sleep over that."
Real election reforms are clearly required, but denying voters a viable alternative seems like a poor strategy. What's needed is pressure from other SADC members for Zimbabwe to enforce agreed-upon guidelines like media freedom and independent observers. Mugabe's reluctance to take these steps only reinforces the perception that a fair election -- which would likely end his reign -- is precisely what he doesn't want.
- Jeff Fleischer
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This article has been made possible by the Foundation for National Progress, the Investigative Fund of Mother Jones, and gifts from generous readers like you.
© 2004 The Foundation for National Progress
posted by BLONDIE at 10:42 AM
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