Zimbabwe's Hope Deterred

Broken Beds, Empty Hospitals

As America celebrates the Audacity of Hope, Zimbabweans experience is more one of hopelessness. Gerald Mashiri considers Zimbabwe's experiences months after a unity government should have been installed.

A record inflation rate of 231 million percent. A disgruntled opposition, threatening to pull out of a unity government. Is there really hope for a better Zimbabwe?

Almost two months on from the signing of a historic power-sharing agreement, reality is kicking in. Robert Mugabe is not going down without a fight and questions are being raised as to whether he had anyone’s interests apart from his own at heart when he signed the power-sharing agreement. His refusal to share key cabinet posts with the MDC factions is a clear sign that the octogenarian is not ready for reform.

Does Mugabe genuinely believe that the same people who have mismanaged Zimbabwe's economy will miraculously be able to turn the country’s fortunes around? Or is he willing to sacrifice the country in order to ensure that an opposition, formally in government, does not undermine his grip on power?

Zimbabwe’s defence service chiefs have gone on record as saying they would never salute Morgan Tsvangirai. The appointment of Tsvangirai as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe has in itself brought about a serious predicament for the generals. How do they retract from this previous position? Tsvangirai has previously threatened to rid the army and police force of incompetence. Both the head of the army, General Constantine Chiwenga, and the head of the police, Commissioner Augustine Chihuri, are strong supporters of Mugabe. Giving the MDC control of either ministries means putting the positions of two men who have loyally supported him in the past at risk, as well as weakening his protection.

What about the finance ministry? This critical cabinet post is essential to restoring some sense of economic order. Why then would Mugabe refuse to give up this post and try someone new in the position? Maybe it is because if the post is given to the MDC, and there is a positive outcome, ZANU PF’s popularity might go down even further as people get a shot at a better life. At the moment, this is the post most critical to all Zimbabweans as they struggle to make it through the day. With an official inflation rate of 231 million percent, and rising, the majority of Zimbabweans can barely get a meal a day. Poverty has escalated corruption to such high levels and whoever gets to run the economy will have to contend with this problem as well.

Former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, flew into Zimbabwe on Monday 13 0ctober 2008 in an effort to save the faltering talks. Having brokered the initial deal, Mbeki has made efforts to see the deal through, now with a bit more time on his hands following his resignation from the presidency of his country. This time around, Mbeki found Mugabe in a far less compromising position, with the leader refusing to fold on his cabinet appointments.

While Mbeki is playing the moral role as an African statesman, one man is conspicuously missing from the negotiating table, the man who had given many hope of change. Where is Simba Makoni? It is during times like this that the man should be running around trying to talk some sense into both parties. Even though it is not guaranteed that either would listen, it would not hurt for him to try. His silence raises eyebrows as to the sincerity of his attempt at the presidency in March.

Zimbabwe needs an urgent solution to its current problems. No man, no woman, no child should be allowed to go to bed hungry anymore. People need medicines in their public hospitals. The education system needs to be restored. A country divided needs to be unified again.

It is now up to the politicians to stop their bickering and deliver what they promised to the electorate.