Wikileaks dispatch: Mugabe tactical, ruthless

By Crimson Tazvinzwa

Wikileaks cables’ ruthless, tactical Mugabe continues to preside over a country whose economy has declined beyond recognition.

Christopher W. Dell, the former US Ambassador to Zimbabwe in 2007 said that Mugabe’s hold on power was nearing the end; and that unlike previous predictions there was compelling evidence suggesting the regime’s days in power were numbered.

In memos recently published by Wikileaks titled “The End is Nigh”, Ambassador Dell argued that “for the first time the president was under intensifying pressure simultaneously on the economic, political and international fronts.”

The Ambassador cited discontent among Mugabe’s inner circle and other Zanu (PF) officials who believed change was desperately needed to restore the political and economic wellbeing of that country.

According to Wikileaks Dell said: “Our ZANU-PF contacts are virtually unanimous in saying reform is desperately needed, but won't happen while the Old Man is there, and therefore he must go.”

The Ambassador noted back then that lack of courage among disillusioned officials was barrier to bringing about change, but believed that would happen soon.

Dell’s observations on the situation came at a time when life for ordinary Zimbabweans became an endless slog of hyperinflation and shortages of basic commodities. According to World Politics Watch, a private and independent blogger, “For those stuck in Zimbabwe life has become unbearable under the country's moth-eaten economy, circumscribed by food and fuel shortages.

The report added that it was no longer possible to chin up in Zimbabwe because of the difficulties befalling the population each passing day.

It said: “Dozens are dying at the country's public hospitals following a month-long strike over pay by the few remaining doctors, inflation is fast approaching the 1,300 per cent mark and political oppression has reached epidemic proportions.”

A quarter of the population most of whom are highly skilled and educated fled the country either for political or economic reasons.  Political persecution and repression continue to be a scourge in Zimbabwe. The World Politics Watch observes: “The capital, Harare, is crawling with police informers. Too scared to act, speak out or protest, ordinary Zimbabweans are always looking over their shoulders.”

Dell observed that the race and colonial card that Mugabe used in the past to prop up his regime had become obsolete and overshadowed by the prevailing economic hardship; and added  that the ‘economic, political and international pressures were concentrating on Mugabe himself’ compounding his fate.

Despite the diplomat’s predictions in 2007, the people of Zimbabwe still experience much of the same today. It is the end of 2010 and Mugabe is still in power, the country still experiencing unsustainable political and economic dysfunction. The government of national unity yet another of Mugabe’s tricks has since inception been riddled with controversy, with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC) condemning Mugabe for ‘acting autocratically’ according to The Daily Telegraph in London.

In separate cable exchanges between UK and the US titled ‘AFRICA: U.S. VERSUS UK PRIORITIES, LONDON THINK’, Wikileaks quoted Richard Mills, Political Councillor at the US Embassy in London saying; “Zimbabwe should/will remain a priority for the UK for historical reasons, but the USG’s focus is “surprising,” as it is largely a contained crisis that should be treated as a regional issue. A “tough and quiet” approach should be considered.

Based on this presumption, the Zimbabwe situation has been allowed to continue unabated and people are beginning to ask: “Is it because Western countries especially the US find no economic and political gains in that country?”