Freedom fighter, patriot, "revolutionary hero". Robert Mugabe has held many titles, but his most recent is perhaps most fitting according to Stacey H., below: cartoon figure of the archetypal African dictator". Two guest bloggers, Stacey H., and Kate D., offer their perspectives on the issues.
Mugabe: The Face of Zimbabwe
A person’s first impression of Africa usually focuses on negative aspects plaguing the continent like poverty, AIDS, and genocide. Africa has its success stories that can prove those initial impressions wrong, but countries like Zimbabwe only encourage the stereotype that many Africans are trying to disprove. Once hopeful and growing, Zimbabwe has taken a turn for the worse. It became independent in 1980 at the end of a struggle that transferred control from a small white community to current President Robert Mugabe. Initially, it appeared as though Mugabe would improve stability throughout the country. Zimbabwe had the ability to prosper because of its promising markets built around tobacco, agricultural products, and cotton. Nowadays, Mugabe’s country is plagued with poverty, high unemployment rates, civil strife, and a weakening economy. It is clear that Mugabe has been causing more harm than good, leading Zimbabwe into a crisis.
Beginning with the Land Acquisition Act of 1992, President Mugabe has been obtaining land for redistribution. Following the land seizures, government-backed militia killed several white farmers and their workers. Over the past five years, Mugabe has increasingly allowed the seizure of white-owned commercial farms, providing his supporters with the opportunity to prosper. However, Mugabe’s plan has decreased Zimbabwe’s overall production, leading to the breakdown of its agricultural-based economy. In April of 2002, the government declared a state of disaster charging that a drought had generated food shortages. Mugabe has also claimed that the people in Zimbabwe are “very, very happy” and not going hungry, despite aid organizations’ estimates that 4-11.6 million Zimbabweans are facing starvation [1].
People continue to blame drought for Zimbabwe’s deteriorating situation, but recently, Deputy Agriculture Minister Sylvester Nguni explained “that people without the slightest idea of farming got land” [2]. Even Zimbabwe’s Central Bank governor expressed that the Zimbabweans were using their new land in a “criminal” manner [3]. Zimbabwe’s agricultural output has been dropping since the land reform program intensified in 2000. Also, its overall economy and way of life have been suffering. In 2002, 70% of Zimbabwe’s population lived below the poverty line as opposed to the 60% in 2000 [4]. Also, Zimbabwe has the world’s fourth worst rate of HIV/AIDS and the highest rise in child mortality of any nation [5]. Christopher Dell, the United States ambassador to Zimbabwe said that “the Zimbabwe government’s own gross mismanagement of the economy and its corrupt rule has brought on the crisis” [6]. Mugabe is unwilling to manage the crisis since he will not take responsibility for Zimbabwe’s growing problems.
One of Mugabe’s most recent projects was his “Operation Murambatsvina” or “Operation Clear the Filth” beginning on May 19th, which involved the arbitrary destruction of urban slums and “illegal” buildings. The destruction displaced thousands into rural areas without access to health care, clean water, and economic support. Mugabe claimed the demolitions would increase law and order in the cities, as well as development. However, the UN has estimated that 700,000 people have been left without jobs or homes [7]. Audrey Gaughran, an Amnesty researcher asserted that Operation Murambatsvina was “the latest manifestation of a massive human rights problem in Zimbabwe that’s been going on for years” [8]. Mugabe’s government has also stalled UN aid to the many victims. However, The New York Times reported on the 18th that Zimbabwe is finally allowing the UN to construct around 2,500 homes for the victims. Mugabe had initially promised to build new homes, but the fulfillment of his promise has been lacking.
Ironically, Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe was originally deemed a freedom fighter, helping the former Rhodesia to independence by establishing a stable democracy. During the 1970s, the world viewed him as a “revolutionary hero, fighting racist white minority rule for the freedom of his people” [9]. However, the world is becoming more and more likely to call him autocratic, as well as a “cartoon figure of the archetypal African dictator” [10]. Typically, Zimbabwe’s current problems are not a product of colonialism, but stem from Mugabe’s rule. Zimbabwe’s economy is suffering and it is going in the direction of a failing state.
The international community has tried to put pressure on Mugabe, but it has been unsuccessful with diminishing his power. The European Union has imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe’s political elite and the IMF has demanded fiscal reforms to mend Zimbabwe’s economy that is struggling with “a jobless rate of over 70 percent, triple digit inflation and acute struggles” [11]. The efforts to reduce Mugabe’s power have not been effective and have only increased his resistance to the west. Under Mugabe’s rule, Zimbabwe “has suffered an economic decline of 40% in recent years and a brain drain that is probably irreversible” [12]. Because of Zimbabwe’s growing problems, emigration is becoming more common, with hundreds of thousands leaving [13]. Many migrants, including white farmers, have cited economic and political factors as reasons for leaving. Clearly, there is no progress in resolving Zimbabwe’s growing crisis. Investors have begun to loose confidence, while media laws have become more restrictive and inflation has reached 254.8% [14].
As Zimbabwe’s problems have begun to worsen, Mugabe plans on running in the next presidential election in 2008. By then, he will have finished another six-year term at the age of 84, marking 28 years in power. Recently, Mugabe’s opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), has been trying to gain control. However, the party has lost three national elections that were allegedly rigged. Adding to the MDC’s inability to gain power are documented cases of political intimidation of opposition parties and their supporters [15]. Without a solid opposition, Mugabe is able to strengthen his authority. Just recently, a bill was introduced that would create a new 40-seat Senate, remove landowners’ right to appeal against expropriation, and deny passports to Mugabe’s critics. Mugabe knows how to maximize his power as president and prevent others from speaking out. Unless a civil war breaks out or he finally dies, Mugabe and his party will stay in power, only to ruin Zimbabwe.
Check Out this Site (It’s a slideshow):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/africa_zimbabwe_artists_face_the_crisis/html/1.stm If you go to this site, you can see video of Zimbabwe’s conditions (top of left column):
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4395472.stm
[1] “Mugabe: ‘People Very Happy.’” News24.com. 19 September 2005. 15 October
2005.
[2] “Zimbabwe Admits ‘errors’ on Land.” BBC News. 1 November 2005. 13 November
2005.
[3] “Zimbabwe’s Poverty is Man-Made.” Business Report. 21 September 2005. 15
October 2005.
[4] “Zimbabwe.” CIA World Fact Book. 1 November 2005. 13 November 2005.
November 2005.
[6] “U.S. Envoy Blames Mugabe for Crisis.” CNN.com. 3 November 2005. 4 November
2005.
[7] “Country Profile: Zimbabwe.” BBC News. 5 October 2005. 13 November 2005.
29 October 2005.
[9] “Mugabe: Going Strong after 25 years.” September 2005. 13 November 2005.
November 2005.
[13] “So Where Are Zimbabweans Going?” 11 August 2005. 13 November 2005.
2005.
[16] “Zimbabwe: Obstacles to Free and Fair Elections Documented.” Human Rights
Watch. 21 March 2005. 29 October 2005.
Zimbabwe: On a fast track to Disaster? by Katie D.
To say that Zimbabwe is simply on a path toward disaster would be a gross understatement of the situation. Since his election at the time of Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party have taken any possibility the country had for success and virtually thrown it down the drain. Mugabe’s most outrageous violations of the rule of law and human rights thus far have been the land reforms starting in 2000 and the slum clearance movement, which began in 2005. Both of these have already crippled the agricultural sector and left hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans hungry, homeless, and without jobs. Even with Mugabe expected to resign in 2008, political turmoil within Zimbabwe continues to increase. The only substantial opposition to his ZANU-PF party, which is experiencing many of problems of their own, is the crumbling MDC party. As the MDC party deteriorates, and the ZANU-PF party continues to violate and starve its own people, the prospect of political stability in Zimbabwe is diminished.
Although Zimbabwe was once considered Southern Africa’s breadbasket, Zimbabweans are currently deep in a hunger crisis. Relief prospects seem grim due to the government’s crumbling relationship with NGO’s and other food aid donors. To make matters worse, President Mugabe has said, “if charity comes our way, we will use it…we don’t need America and we don’t need Britain”. He would rather ignore the absolute fact that millions are starving and continue to declare to the international community “Zimbabweans would choke if they were given any more food”. (1) HIV/AIDS presents another major problem in Zimbabwe, especially since many people dying of the disease are roughly between the ages of 18 and 30, and are the group most likely to bring democratic progress. The disease is strongly related to Zimbabwe’s problems of political stability and the recommendations that come out of research in this area show that in order for any democratization program to succeed, it must take HIV/AIDS into account. (2)
When he was first elected 25 years ago, President Mugabe expressed his commitment “to a process of national reconciliation and reconstruction as well as moderate socioeconomic change”. He also announced “that his government would begin investigating ways of reversing past discriminatory policies in land distribution, education, employment and wages”. (3) Knowing this it shouldn’t have surprised anyone when he followed through on his plan twenty years later. Mugabe began seizing white owned farms and redistributing them to landless blacks in addition to destroying countless homes and buildings in poor urban areas through his slum clearance operations known as “Operation Restore Order” or “Operation Murambatsvina” in 2005. The International Crisis Group’s report on this issue found that “Operation Murambatsvina cost some 700,000 Zimbabweans their homes or livelihoods or both and otherwise affected nearly a fifth of the troubled country’s population. Its impact, as documented in a scathing UN report, has produced a political shock that has returned Zimbabwe to the international spotlight and made the quality of its governance almost impossible for its regional neighbors to ignore, however difficult they find it to be overly critical.” (4)
Mugabe’s legacy of personal rule politics indicates clearly that he has no regard for the basic survival of many Zimbabweans, and he has put the country in a state of crisis. It is hard to pinpoint where one would start the process of positive change. Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, sent Anna Tibaijuka to Zimbabwe as his Special Envoy and she published her report in 2005, making details of Operation Murambatsvina available to the world. “Her findings show that the Zimbabwe government collectively mounted a brutal, ill-managed campaign against its own citizens. Whatever its intent—the urban clean-up claimed by authorities, or more sinister efforts to punish and break up the political opposition lest resentment explode into revolution—that campaign has exacerbated a desperate situation in a country already sliding downhill.” (4)
So why hasn’t the United States or some other world power intervened and attempted to fix the political problems and aid the suffering Zimbabwean masses? Maybe some would say it’s because of the lack of U.S. national interests in Zimbabwe, or perhaps wanting to give the African Union the chance to come up with solutions for problems on their own continent. While the US has not tried to change the governmental operations in Zimbabwe, the US did give almost $300 million in humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe, mostly in the form of food aid, between 2002 and 2004. (3) The United Nations also has plans for a $30 million dollar humanitarian relief program but it has been stalled because the Mugabe government cannot agree to the terms of the plan with UN aid agencies. (5)
In October 2005, inflation rose to a staggering 411% in Zimbabwe, making it one of the highest rates in the world, and gas shortages are causing additional problems for industry and transport services. (6) The Zimbabwe National Reserve building in Harare is locally known as “Big Bob’s Takeaway” referring to Mugabe’s personal use of national funds. (7) The Zimbabwean economy is in serious disarray, and instead of trying to find new ways to generate wealth, Mugabe’s policies are only deepening the poverty. Even though a new system for foreign currency trade was introduced in October, little progress has been made because investors worry that the exchange rate will be controlled by Mugabe’s politics. Zimbabwe didn’t always have these problems; in fact, the nation was considered Africa’s second most industrialized country, that is until Mugabe began to dismantle it. Mugabe is now seeking stronger economic ties with Asia, rather than the US and Europe, however the economic outlook is still extremely grim.
Mugabe’s relations with many Western countries have deteriorated significantly over the past few years, primarily over charges of human rights violations and election rigging. Condoleezza Rice has referred to Zimbabwe as an outpost of tyranny, and even some of the Zimbabwean government officials are starting to admit to the wrongdoings and place blame with President Mugabe. Even though the EU has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe’s political elite (including travel restrictions), Mugabe continues to travel to United Nations events where he makes a mockery of the UN, using his platforms to blast other world leaders, while being cheered on by many African delegates.
The United States and other world powers need to address the situation in Zimbabwe immediately, focusing first on helping those most in need and continuing to give food aid. Secondly, maintaining international pressure is key, and expanding the sanctions against Zimbabwean government officials should be part of this phase. Thirdly, the international community should support neighboring countries such as South Africa in their efforts to help Zimbabwe and conduct meaningful diplomacy. Most importantly, the US, the EU and the greater international community should “give no development assistance until there has been some meaningful progress toward political and economic reform, and then only upon the condition that specific further benchmarks are met.” (4)
Zimbabwe is most certainly on a fast track to disaster, if it hasn’t already arrived there. The rising poverty has forced thousands of the nations youth to make a living either as street vendors or prostitutes, worsening the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Faced with little opportunity in their own country, 3.5 million Zimbabweans have already sought jobs and homes abroad. (8) Parliamentary elections coming up on November 26th have caused new splits within the MDC opposition party and this election, like many before it, is not expected to produce much change.
(1) Thornycroft, Peta. “Food used to buy votes, judge finds”. October 18, 2005. National Post, (The Financial Post), Canada.
(2) Prabhala, Anna. “A Plague on Democracy- HIV/AIDS”. Elections Today- Summer/Fall 2001.
(3) U.S. Department of State, Background Note: Zimbabwe. Bureau of African Affairs, September 2005. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ci/bgn/5479.htm
(4) International Crisis Group. “Zimbabwe’s Operation Murambatsvina: The Tipping Point?” Africa Report N.97, August 2005.
(5) “Rights groups seek action on Zimbabwe”, November 16, 2005. http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/11/16/zimbabwe.reut/index.html
(6) “Zimbabwe inflation hits 411%”, November 12, 2005. The Record (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario).
(7) Thomson, Alex. “An Introduction to African Politics”, Second Edition.
(8) Chinaka, Cris. “Zimbabweans travel a hard road to survive”, November 18, 2005. The Toronto Star.
14 comments:
As if Zimbabwe doesn't have enough problems, the country has also been dealing with fuel shortages. There was a recent article on the BBC News website explaining how the shortage of fuel has affected the country's own airline. Mugabe continues to blame the West for Zimbabwe's problems, while others blame his policies. I think Mugabe needs to OPEN his eyes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4459562.stm
Mugabe appears to be the wolf in sheep's clothing. Zimbabweans were unfortunately moved by his promises to restore the country back into the hands of its true natives. Little did they know that the only difference between Mugabe and the colonizers was their native background and appearance.
By painting the European colonizers as the enemies, Mugabe was able to successfully prop himself to the position of 'liberator.'
Mugabe seems to be 'driving' Zimbabwe (in reference to Ayittey's metaphor between car and economy) further away from the direction it needs to be pursuing to nurture stability.
I am a bit startled that the travel sanctions have not been more stringently imposed and some of the videoclips show a defiant and arrogant Mugabe that definitely is not intimidated by anyone. What is the answer to the Zimbabwe crisis?
P.S. - On the topic of agricultural demise in Africa due to subsidies and competing world prices in 'developed' economies, read:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4466388.stm
Kate D & Stacey H,
Both nicely written entries. How could anyone not agree that Zimbabwe is a disaster and getting worse. I guess Mugave thinks otherwise. It's baffles me how he can say that he doesn't need the West's help to prosper. He's an unbelievably over optomistic egotistical man to deny the situation of his current disaster of a country and make such a statement.
I agree with Kate. We should support the people of Zimbabwe by beefing up aid to neighboring countries and South Africa's aid efforts, while putting huge political pressure on Mugave to change his ways. People are suffering. The West needs to help. We should at least make sure that there are fully backed and supplied countries for these suffering people to flee to until Mugave leaves office.
It sickens me to think of the situation in Zimbabwe. Something major needs to happen by the West, political pressure, military pressure or more aid to neighboring countries. We can't wait any longer, we need to act. Not one more cent needs to go to Mugave's government unless he comes to us with a plan to meet strict criterion of progress.
Matt,
I agree aid should be given to neighboring countries, but Zimbabwe also needs aid. I'm not saying go and give Mugabe the money, but the country itself needs it. Because Mugabe has a negative impression of the West, he has been denying his country the help it needs. The article in The New York Times I make reference to in my blog about Mugabe finally letting the UN in to help, shows how much Zimbabwe really does need it. The UN isn't going into Zimbabwe to help Mugabe, but they are going to help those who are suffering. Also, the UN's presence in Zimbabwe will allow the international community to understand just how bad the country's situation is. I truly think that Zimbabwe needs some direct assistance because I feel as though if there isn't any, more people will suffer. Simply giving aid to neighboring countries will not directly solve Zimbabwe's problems.
President Mugabe’s actions have brought shame upon the African continent. In the 80’s, President Mugabe was regarded as one of Africa’s finest leaders. He helped Zimbabwe to gain independence and he helped sustain the Zimbabwean economy. Videos about Zimbabwe’s success in Africa were shown on several television stations in Africa. His government’s strong backing of agriculture especially oil palm production was strongly praised by other agricultural based African countries. Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city was regarded as a fairly modern city in the late part of the twentieth century. Unfortunately, the situation in Zimbabwe has changed. Zimbabwe has been laid to waste by the excesses and greed of an aging dictator. President Mugabe thirst for power has caused him to ruin a very economically promising country. I rack my head to see what kind of solutions can be found to salvage this wasting nation. Nothing unfortunately comes into mind. If Mugabe is removed by forced military effort, there is a fear that this will destabilize the already fragile nation. The opposition unfortunately does not seem strong enough to take over the realms of government. Maybe be a prayer and a miracle is what Zimbabwe needs……………………………
Stacey,
I too agree with the idea of directly helping the people of Zimbabwe. We just need to make sure that any money or aid efforts that are given to Zimbabwe goes to use quickly and definately doesn't go to Mugabe's pocket. The West and other non-Western countries interested in helping do need to directly help the suffering people of Zimbabwe.
In addition to giving aid to the people of Zimbabwe directly and to neighboring countries, I think it's extremely important that we all start sending the right message to Mugabe's government. Instead of inviting him to speak at UN Hunger conferences we need to increase the sanctions immediately. There is no good reason why he should be allowed to travel the world spreading his lies about his policies, while being cheered on by other African leaders.
If you want to check out an article about what Kate is talking about, go to http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/10/17/un.mugabe.ap/?section=cnn_mostpopular or you can just search "Mugabe and Chavez" on CNN.com.
Stacey H,
Absolutely unbelievable website article. I can't understand why Mugabe would rant such rave about the US when it's clear that he's the cause of his country's crisis. He's lost his credibility with me and I'm sure lots of others around the world. He had better make a bold move in the opposite direction from the one he's headed in to fix his country if he wants any bit of credibility back. The West should open its hands to the people of Zimbabwe and seriously press Mugabe to change his ways. The West and other interested non-Western countries should step in immediately, regardless of how hard Mugabe or others might react to such a move, to provide aid and hope to these people. If a leader can't take care of his people properly than he or she is not a leader but a mere "talker", a "mouth flapper" and should not stand in the way of those who want to legitimately help.
One could argue that if the West puts in a full force effort to help Zimbabwe than why not every poor starving country? I would say that we should help all of those in need and be the beacon of hope that we claim to be as America to people around the world. Realistically, I think that a full force effort towards Zimbabwe could easily be justified. A country with the second highest HIV rate in the world needs immediate help. This astonishing infection rate sets Zimbabwe out from other nations in need. The effect of this high HIV infection rate will be seen in the next decade with an enormous amount of death. Zimbabwe needs all the help it can get.....now!
Matt,
I completely agree with you. Zimbabwe has so much to offer and it is all just going to waste. The West should do something because the country is not yet at a point where there is no hope for its rescue.
In my blog I mentioned many of the problems in Zimbabwe, but I didn't actually mention any of the good things that have been done. One thing in particular is education throughout Zimbabwe. During his rule, Mugabe has made the effort to universalize primary education. The positive results from his initiatives can be seen through Zimbabwe's current literacy rate: total population: 90.7%, male: 94.2% , and female: 87.2%. Those percentages are extremely high considering all the other problems the country is dealing with, such as 24.6% of its population living with HIV/AIDS and the average life expectancy at 39.13 years. The Zimbabweans are getting educated, but they are also dying (not just from AIDS). Some believe that by improving education throughout Zimbabwe, Mugabe is digging his own grave. The people of his country are becoming more aware of the worsening situation and now have the knowledge to do something about it. I do think that even the people of Zimbabwe have the power to make a difference. If the West were by their side, that would even be better.
Stacy H,
You made a good point. In a way, Mugabe is digging his own grave by providing good education to his people. In past blogs, many people in the class have concluded that education is the solution to most of Africa's problems. When people are educated, not only do they know how to recognize why things are going wrong, but they can think of new ways to fix it. By providing education to his people, Mugabe could be setting himself up to be kicked out because his people now have the knowledge to do so.
I am not so sure about the West helping out with in this situation, though. I agree with Aiyetty that there needs to be African solutions for African problems. Since they have the means to be more influential, the West could come in and do the wrong thing and screw everything up. However, if Mugabe stops providing education, only then should the West step in to help.
--Kristy G
Kristy,
I think the West should step in to Zimbabwe. It's a disaster that needs Western aid. Widespread disease, mainly HIV, is something that can't just be left to long debates and underfunded solutions. The West should provide the African nations interested in helping Zimbabwe with the funds and equipment to implement their "African" solutions. Same idea with Darfur. The West should provided the means to the "African" solution in cases demanding immediate action, Darfur, Zimbabwe etc...
And yes, Mugabe has done some good to Zimbabwe, but no matter how much "good" a leader does, he or she is ultimately judged by thier latest decision. Lately, Mugabe's decisions have been very poor.
Matt,
I completely agree. Depsite some of the good Mugabe has done, there is no way to justify his poor ruling. It is quite sad, but after another election on November 28th, Mugabe's party has taken control of his newly created Senate. Mugabe is tightening his grip and something needs to be done.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/28/international/africa/28zimbabwe.html
What can I do to save mother Africa??
As the saying goes, “East – West, Home is best”. Day in and day out, the blunt of bad leadership is continuously destroying a continent already strained by disease and other social catastrophes, as the international community looks on. Media coverage, like the one on Zimbabwe today seems to mean nothing to the Zimbabweans who are brutally murdered in cold blood. From Kenya to Zimbabwe; Somalia to Sudan; Rwanda to Burundi; Uganda to DRC; South Africa to Western Sahara; Angola to Chad; Central African Republic to Congo Brazzaville; and many other sham democracies around the continent continue to threaten lives of majority of poor Africans at the benefit of the small ruling classes. Poor citizens part with their small earnings to pay taxes to contribute to their own brutality, suffering and exploitation. Though colonialists exploited and continue to exploit the continent through neo-colonialism, the ruling classes in African countries surpass colonialism. Open murders, intimidation, harassment, mutilation and human rights abuses continue under the nose of the international community. Media coverage and strong worded statements by world leaders do so little to change anything.
Zimbabwe is a current phenomenon that is happening as everybody witnesses. African leaders seem to sound patriotic support to their fellow murderer, intimidator, tyrant, undemocratic leader at the cost of the majority of Zimbabweans. All they can talk of is a government of national unity without due consideration of the many people that have been mutilated and killed. Kenya is a story that is still fresh in our minds. Though a government of national unity was formed, the poor people were mobilized against each other while the government security forces mercilessly murdered people in front of media cameras. The sham democratic practices intended to legitimize such governments continue to be funded by the international community with evidence that they will never be free and fair. When stiff sanctions are sought, some world leaders claim that those are internal affairs of the individual countries. It’s easy to think that international structures are intended to strengthen and support such practices. Sovereignty claimed doesn’t have meaning to the Africans that suffer the impact of oppression.
It defeats where a common African can run to for help since they don’t have means to reach the capitals of the international community. They don’t have the mechanisms, but sometimes resort to whatever is in their reach. Tribal militias and brusque militant groups take up arms in self defense, and suffering continues. The international community again facilitates such uprisings by arming these groups against each other, as world leaders give empty statements that are impact-less.
It’s a great shame that Africa hasn’t yet recovered from the blunt of the apartheid in South Africa, the Burundi and Rwandan genocide. Also to remember are the recent Kenyan massacres; the munjiki militia in Kenya; the ongoing brutality of the Lord’s Resistance Army in northern Uganda and neighboring countries; the black mambas and kibooko squads in Uganda; the janjaweed militias in Darfur, the Islamic courts in Somalia, the DRC tribal militias, to mention but a few. Empty statements from the presidents of the US, the UK, the EU, and above all the United Nations have had so little to cerebrate about, but fueling further suffering of poor African people.
Therefore as we seek to find a lasting solution to peaceful Africa, we the Africans have to do something. Starting with the upcoming presidential runoff in Zimbabwe, Africans need to be mobilized into peaceful and non-violent social disobedience. Non-violent means should be explored at continental level. The struggles of our fore fathers like Mzee Mwalimu Nyerere, Kwame Nkurumah, and the living Nelson Mandela should be taken to a new level of action and demand for freedom of the African continent. The struggle and movement should start now!
The African continent should unit under the slogan “they all must go, we want freedom” meaning that the entire bad leadership and their partners leave the continent to create room for freedom, the bad political leaders; the states funded coercive mechanisms, their international partners, their multinational partners, and every oppressive entity out, so the African people can decide the fate of their politically and economically crippled continent themselves. In the face of ever increasing poverty, suffering, mutilation, brutality, oppression and total economic meltdown, the African people have found enough purpose to continue resisting, and will muster sufficient creativity to start building practical alternatives to the despair of bad leadership and neo-colonialism.
If the popular rebellion in Africa succeeds, it could show the world that African people are able to live through severe crisis and come out the other side, not merely having survived, but stronger, and happier for struggling for new ways of living. For like three or two days in the coming week or even coming months, human rights movements at country levels should mobilize tens of thousands of Africans to take up non-violent means to start up the struggle to fully liberate mother Africa. Actions and events can take place across the world in solidarity with the African people.
What can you do on these days? All African lovers should stand up and either stay in doors on the Zimbabwean election day; or just place a placard in front of their homes claiming for freedom; tie black bands on their hands or heads to mourn those who have been victims to bad leadership, etc, etc, etc. Let this be the start of a struggle for the liberation of Africa. Here are some additional ideas ...paint and take pots and pans by the road side with the message “they all must go, we want freedom now”, start up a local strictly non-violent neighborhood assembly with the slogan of “We want freedom NOW!, report to your workplace or college/university with the slogan “We want freedom NOW!, display the slogan all over the place of your reach, ....the options are endless..., but strictly ensure that they are non-violent and peaceful.
The aims of the Days of Social Disobedience include:
1) To show that there is a movement of movements against bad leadership and neo-colonialism and move beyond insurrection towards a real social revolution. A social revolution, made of thousands of revolutions, where people are beginning to build the life that they want and preparing to defend it rather than simply protesting against what they don't want. And that Africa is an inspiring model of this.
2) To build a powerful global network of solidarity for Africa. The movements in Africa may be in danger of isolation; without the security and the mutual inspiration of international solidarity, they will suffer further repression. We should strive to portray to the many movements worldwide we've had our hopes rekindled in the dark days of neo-colonialism, most of the people on the streets of African cities and those in rural communities have no idea that they can provide such widespread optimism. By seeing the world’s social movements acting in concert and solidarity with their struggle, the African people will be inspired to continue their struggle for freedom.
3) To learn from the events in Africa and apply these lessons to building our own autonomous spaces, neighborhood assemblies, alternative non-violent mobilization, slogan covered work places etc.
4) To spread the stories and information about the movements in Africa to social movements across the world.
Let us struggle to spread the movement to many groups with actions/events: ranging from the Disobedient in Africa, to Direct action groups in Europe, Asia, America, etc. The African freedom starts with you. Spread the message like wildfire emphasizing peaceful and non-violent means of the struggle!
William Makamazibu
makamazibu@yahoo.co.uk
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