No Help At All

maehara — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:34:36 +0000

So the official word from the SADC summit is that Zimbabwe should release the results of the Presidential poll as soon as possible, and urges both sides to accept those results. The only problem is that, over two weeks after the polls closed, any results released now are going to be so heavily massaged as to be meaningless, and while the MDC are putting a brave face on things (calling it a “major improvement” in t eh SADC’s position) it’s hardly the robust criticism they were hoping for. SADC have also asked Thabo Mbeki to continue in his role as facilitator between the two parties – but given he doesn’t see any crisis, I doubt he’ll be treating that with much urgency.

Courts are going to be busy over the next few days, too – on top of the decision on MDC’s petition to force the release of the Presidential results, they’re also planning to take action to block the recounts of 23 seats requested by Zanu-PF. This is Zimbabwe has a list of the affected seats – curiously, 7 of the results that Zanu-PF are contesting were won by Zanu-PF, some with huge majorities, and that raises a couple of questions about why Zanu-PF are requesting the recounts. The only people who know for sure are in Zanu-PF, but you can be sure there’s something fishy going on there. The only thing known for certain is that Zanu-PF would regain control of the House of Assembly if its challenges are successful.

MDC have already said they will not accept any recounts as the results of them are likely to be rigged; they’ve also decided not to contest any run-off, because of the likelyhood that there’ll be a wave of violence unleashed. It may be already underway, with “Operation Mavhoterapapi” (“Where you put your ‘X’”) already claiming victims, including one MDC official who was killed on Saturday night. Refusal to engage further in the electoral process raises questions about where MDC can go next – the traditional route of appealing everything through the courts has never worked to date (there are still challenges to the 2000 election results outstanding), and there appears to be no desire for taking to the streets. A general strike has been called for Tuesday – previous calls to strike action haven’t been met with much enthusiasm, but perhaps the prospect of having a clear victory stolen from under their noses will persuade Zimbabweans to stay at home.

A Stand – of Sorts

maehara — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:31:19 +0000

Oh yes – lest anyone accuse Gordon Brown and the British Government of standing by and doing nothing during such hard times. They’ve taken an important stand that will no doubt convince the world that they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Zimbabwean people.

They’ve refused visas to an under-15 cricket team, who were due to transit through the UK on their way to a tournament in the Caribbean.

Pointless, heartless, and vindictive. Way to go, Gordon.

UPDATE: CricInfo have updated their story to add Foreign & Commonwealth Office claims that, while they were aware the team were hoping to travel, they have no trace of visas actually being applied for. More here.

Occasional Zimbabwe Blogger » Pointless Actions

No Help At All

A Stand – of Sorts