Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 09:35.
Morgan Tsvangirai, the new Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, writes compellingly in The Times today of his determination to build a free and prosperous society out of the ashes of his ravaged country.
It is an admirable and inspiring vision, one shared by the millions of Zimbabweans who have continued to fight for democracy in the face of terrible persecution. But it is a vision which cannot be realised until Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's President, is out of office and out of power.
The urgency of Mr Tsvangirai's appeal for help from the West reflects his nation's desperate situation. Half the population is dependent on food aid to survive. Over 90 per cent of them have no job. Thousands have died of cholera, and more will succumb, weakened by the artificial famine created by the Mugabe regime while it feasted on lobster and champagne. Yesterday, a South African documentary revealed that prison inmates are starving to death, in scenes reminiscent of concentration camps. A whole generation has been brutalised.
In these circumstances, such a powerful call for help should not go unanswered. Yet the difficult question for the West is what assistance can be given which will not simply strengthen the hand of the dictator and his henchmen.
Robert Mugabe is still President of Zimbabwe, and his power has been glimpsed in multiple ways since the power-sharing government was established in February: in the continued invasions of farmland and eviction of farmers by so-called war veterans, and in the arrest and savage treatment of Roy Bennett, Mr Tsvangirai's nominee for deputy agriculture minister. Under these circumstances, there can be no rapid increase in foreign aid, except perhaps to areas which are controlled by the opposition.
Mr Tsvangirai writes that he would like Zimbabwe to move beyond being a mere beneficiary of emergency aid, to becoming “a true economic partner” of the West, and an “investment opportunity”. That is a laudable aim, and undoubtedly the right path to Zimbabwe's ultimate salvation. It is a country rich in natural resources. But the hope is premature. The truth is that private investment will not return to Zimbabwe until the rule of law is clearly re-established, property rights are respected and the law of contract is guaranteed. Nor can Western governments realistically “partner” with Zimbabwe, until its government is truly democratic.
Mr Tsvangarai needs to do everything in his power to move his country towards law and order and democracy. But it will be a long road. It is tempting to argue, as he does, that Zimbabweans should not have to wait for more help from the West until their government meets some idealised standard, some “clean slate”. But turning a blind eye to the abuses in Zimbabwe, as South Africa and some other African countries have repeatedly done, has had the effect of simply entrenching dictatorship. Those countries now face internal economic problems which may make them even more reluctant to act.
Zimbabwe's problems are too pressing for the West to wait on the outcome of the elections which are to be held next year. The truth is that only the removal of Mr Mugabe can put Zimbabwe on the road to the future so powerfully painted by Mr Tsvangirai.
Mugabe Needs to Move On for the Benefit of Zimbabwe
Morgan Tsvangirai, the new Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, writes compellingly in The Times today of his determination to build a free and prosperous society out of the ashes of his ravaged country.
It is an admirable and inspiring vision, one shared by the millions of Zimbabweans who have continued to fight for democracy in the face of terrible persecution. But it is a vision which cannot be realised until Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's President, is out of office and out of power.
The urgency of Mr Tsvangirai's appeal for help from the West reflects his nation's desperate situation. Half the population is dependent on food aid to survive. Over 90 per cent of them have no job. Thousands have died of cholera, and more will succumb, weakened by the artificial famine created by the Mugabe regime while it feasted on lobster and champagne. Yesterday, a South African documentary revealed that prison inmates are starving to death, in scenes reminiscent of concentration camps. A whole generation has been brutalised.
In these circumstances, such a powerful call for help should not go unanswered. Yet the difficult question for the West is what assistance can be given which will not simply strengthen the hand of the dictator and his henchmen.
Robert Mugabe is still President of Zimbabwe, and his power has been glimpsed in multiple ways since the power-sharing government was established in February: in the continued invasions of farmland and eviction of farmers by so-called war veterans, and in the arrest and savage treatment of Roy Bennett, Mr Tsvangirai's nominee for deputy agriculture minister. Under these circumstances, there can be no rapid increase in foreign aid, except perhaps to areas which are controlled by the opposition.
Mr Tsvangirai writes that he would like Zimbabwe to move beyond being a mere beneficiary of emergency aid, to becoming “a true economic partner” of the West, and an “investment opportunity”. That is a laudable aim, and undoubtedly the right path to Zimbabwe's ultimate salvation. It is a country rich in natural resources. But the hope is premature. The truth is that private investment will not return to Zimbabwe until the rule of law is clearly re-established, property rights are respected and the law of contract is guaranteed. Nor can Western governments realistically “partner” with Zimbabwe, until its government is truly democratic.
Mr Tsvangarai needs to do everything in his power to move his country towards law and order and democracy. But it will be a long road. It is tempting to argue, as he does, that Zimbabweans should not have to wait for more help from the West until their government meets some idealised standard, some “clean slate”. But turning a blind eye to the abuses in Zimbabwe, as South Africa and some other African countries have repeatedly done, has had the effect of simply entrenching dictatorship. Those countries now face internal economic problems which may make them even more reluctant to act.
Zimbabwe's problems are too pressing for the West to wait on the outcome of the elections which are to be held next year. The truth is that only the removal of Mr Mugabe can put Zimbabwe on the road to the future so powerfully painted by Mr Tsvangirai.