Mugabe outlines Zimbabwe's direction

By Kuthula Matshazi

May 2004

Persevering Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has for the first time in more than five years granted an interview to a British media, SkyNews talking about his future plans, the economic and political challenges facing the country.

President Mugabe explained the disputed 2002 elections that returned him to power when he told SkyNews that what is called disputed elections was the version of the western countries led by Britain. African and Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries had however endorsed the elections as free and fair but their views were not taken into consideration never mind that the latter group was in the country for a lengthier period than the former.

This issue presented an example of problems that African countries face at the moment. Whose standards are going to be regarded as yardsticks? Do western countries present the ultimate guide to all processes?

Such kind of disregard for the African perspective was again displayed at the Abuja, Nigeria Commonwealth conference where Zimbabwe, then suspended from the organisation, had its suspension further endorsed. Although African countries had recommended that Zimbabwe be brought back into the club, the white section of the Commonwealth armtwisted and forced other nations to refuse the readmission of Zimbabwe into the group.

The government had expressed that the decision that would come out of that meeting would be a litmus test on whether the Commonwealth indeed practiced democracy. And as expected, they failed the test and Zimbabwe marched out of the Commonwealth.

There were important lessons to draw from the two scenarios outlined above. Firstly it underlines the need by African countries to have their voices heard and seriously considered. Secondly, it demonstrates the solidarity that now prevails among African states.

On his future plans, President Mugabe, 80, expressed that he now wants to retire when his term ends in 2008 and do some writing. President Mugabe has given his party members permission to start identifying a possible successor. He is however closely monitoring the process in order to ensure that it does not tear apart his governing ZANU PF party.

There is not yet any apparent front runner among those who want to succeed President Mugabe. However, those often mentioned include current Defence Minister, Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, House Speaker and and former Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Emmerson Mnangagwa and Minister of Special Affairs Responsible for Lands, Land Reform and Resettlement, John Nkomo.

President Mugabe said that the economy was beginning to improve after undergoing siege from several fronts (this alone is a matter of another column). Radical action has been taken especially in the financial sector where externalisation of foreign currency was rampant amid a serious shortages in the country.

On engaging the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, President Mugabe said that it was not automatic that it should be done instead would do so if there was need for it. South Africa is playing middle men to try and bring the two parties in the aim of encouraging the two parties to work together for the good of the country. The MDC disputes the 2002 presidential elections and have since called for sanctions against Zimbabwe, a move many in Zimbabwe have called unfortunate and misdirected. The party has strong links with western countries.

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