Mugabe, Tsvangirai Sign Deal to Talk

The Zimbabwean government has signed a deal with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. It’s not a final settlement by any stretch of the imagination. Rather, it’s an agreement on how talks are going to be held. Be that as it may, they have 2 weeks under the terms of the agreement to come up with a unity government and figure out how to hold new elections. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

As is usual with these kinds of written agreements, it’s largely meaningless. Both sides are “dedicating ourselves to putting an end to the polarization, divisions, conflict and intolerance that have characterized our country's politics.” They acknowledge that “we have an obligation of establishing a framework of working together in an inclusive government.”

Morgan Tsvangirai, who heads up the MDC, understands the situation. He said, “It’s too early yet to make a judgment as to the outcome of the process.” He added that it was “a collective effort and it involves tolerance, compromise, putting the best interest of Zimbabwe at the forefront of these negotiations.” He referred to Robert Mugabe as the President of ZANU-PF, the ruling party, but not as President of Zimbabwe. That may cause some trouble right off. Mr. Mugabe is President of Zimbabwe, having stolen the election fair and square.

Eddie Cross, the MDC’s policy coordinator, made a point of Mr. Mugabe’s title, claiming it was “a full climb down by Mugabe and his cohorts made even more significant by the fact that nowhere does it mention that Mugabe is the president.” He added, “ZANU-PF is at the end of the road.” From his lips to God’s ears.

The inflation rate in Zimbabwe is 2.2 million percent. That’s not a typo; a new banknote has been issued in the amount of Z$100 billion – it’s worth less than one US dollar and won’t buy a loaf of bread. Unemployment is at 80%, not eight point oh, but eighty. Opposition MPs are in hiding, with 120 supporters killed, 5,000 arrested (or abducted), and 200,000 forced from their homes. Talks about talks – under circumstances like these, the whole exercise seems rather futile.

© Copyright 2008 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

Kensington Review Home