Zimbabwe's political crisis

Zimbabwe's political crisis
By Editor
Tuesday March 20, 2007 [02:00]

THE images and news of violence coming out of Zimbabwe are not pleasing at all. It is most unfortunate that differences among the Zimbabwean politicians are climaxing in this bloody drama. No doctrine, no principle or position held up as necessary, and no internal division justifies atrocious proceedings like the ones witnessed last week in Zimbabwe.

The physical attacks on opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, his colleagues and supporters cannot be justified politically or otherwise. The assaults on Tsvangirai and his colleagues must be clarified and the guilty ones deserve to be punished in an exemplary way.

It shouldn’t be forgotten that the whole Zimbabwean liberation struggle, the Chimurenga war was fought not only for the independence of that country and to resolve the land question, it was also for the raising of the respect for the dignity and humanity of every human being in that country.

That being the case, all Zimbabweans should view abuse, injustice, and even the humiliation of a fellow human being as unthinkable.

If one starts to look at things this way and mix ethical values with a spirit of rejection of injustice, one will begin to appreciate and place a high value on the dignity and humanity of others no matter how much one may dislike or detest them.

In this way one would begin to create a feeling of what is wrong, the violation of an ethical standard, an injustice or abuse. One will begin to have an idea of what is fair and unfair and a concept of personal dignity.

Yes, we all agree with the need to defend Zimbabwe’s sovereignty. This is a noble sentiment. But we think political ideas are worthless if they are not inspired by noble, selfless sentiments. Likewise, noble sentiments are worthless if they are not based on correct, just and fair ideas.

Those in Zimbabwe who justify actions like these as being part of the struggle against imperialism should not forget that imperialism will now try to make use of these brutal actions and the grave errors committed by the Zimbabwean political leaders and subject that country once again to more imperialist pressure.

The situation is being made more difficult and complex by actions like these. These are not actions, which even the supporters of President Robert Mugabe’s leadership in our country would like to see. These are not images that any human being with a sense of justice and human sensitivity would like to see. They may not be supporters of Tsvangirai but they will definitely not like to see such images of him or indeed of any other human being.

Only a miracle of common sense, equanimity, and wisdom on the part of the Zimbabwean political leadership can get them back into a more favourable international political position. Those who claim to be opposed to imperialist manoeuvres in Zimbabwe must not take any steps that would aid imperialism in its plans to economically and politically strangulate that country.

We can also only hope that the Zimbabwean opposition and its supporters though profoundly embittered by the events will not take measures that will precipitate the crisis, measures that will adversely affect the lives of the people of Zimbabwe for whom our people have sincere and deep feelings of admiration and affection.

We appreciate the response taken by the Zambian government to what is going on in Zimbabwe. Although maintaining a strict principle of not involving itself in the internal affairs of Zimbabwe, the Zambian government seem to have taken into account, above all, the interest of the Zimbabwean people. But we urge the Zambian government in its political relations with the Zimbabwean leadership of President Mugabe to subject everything to serious and profound analysis and do everything possible to help that country out of its crisis.

Let it be hoped that the painful events of last week in Zimbabwe cause all Zimbabweans and the world to reflect deeply, and that the concept prevail that no crime must be committed in the name of politics. Intolerance must surely rank as one of the worst forms in human affairs. Last week we saw the horror of this in Zimbabwe when Tsvangirai and his colleagues were battered simply because they belong to a different political organisation and hold different views from those in power.

What is distinctly lacking among our political leaders, not only in Zimbabwe but in most parts of our continent, is a culture of tolerance and humility, which places the humanity of others before self and accepts that all citizens have a right to participate in the shaping of their destiny directly without fear of reprisal.

Tolerance and respect for our fellow citizens makes us allow our critics to express their opinion about our views without inhibition, whether these seem to be unpalatable or not. At the same time we expect the same treatment or privilege when our turn comes. This is not something we achieve instinctively. Rather, we develop it consciously and respectfully. For, our very instincts would drive us to throttling our opponents in arguments, or better still, smack them with a deadly blow.

Failure to appreciate this constitutes part of the explanation why the Zimbabwean government, and other governments on the continent, have been seen by some citizens to be unsatisfactory in their performance in that those in power have sought to restrict rather than broaden democracy.

We need to take a much deeper look at democracy. For us we see democracy as a growth in the confidence in the power of ordinary people to transform their country, and thus transform themselves. It is a growth in the appreciation of the people organising, deciding, creating together. It is a growth of fraternal love.

We have to be very honest with our Zimbabwean friends. We appreciate the historical background to the Zimbabwean crisis as correctly pointed out by Comrade KK. But we cannot blame everything that is going on in Zimbabwe today on history, on what the British did or failed to do in that country. It is not Britons who are being brutalised today; it fellow Zimbabweans brutalising each other. We should not blame every domestic crisis, however self-created, on foreigners, on imperialism.

With regard to the implications for democracy, these events are indicative of the deepening authoritarian rule in Zimbabwe. They are clear signs of the diminishing of democracy in Zimbabwean politics; a return to authoritarian rule of the colonial era where nationalists like President Mugabe were brutalised for their political activism.

The implications for democracy can be summed up by pointing out that the normal democratic processes in Zimbabwe are likely to be constrained considerably if the violent events of the last few weeks are anything to go by. Political tolerance is further growing thinner in Zimbabwe, and efforts at instituting for dictatorial rule are evident in various forms.

Let us learn to see the mistakes of our friends and point them out. And as for the Zimbabwean political leadership, they should learn to distinguish between the criticism coming from their own friends and that of their enemies. Their friends are raising serious concerns about their political attitudes and practices. There is need for them to reflect and meditate deeply on the criticism and concerns being raised by their friends if listening to their enemies is too bitter a pill