A truly terrible tale
The political history of Zimbabwe has been a chequered one. Considered to be a jewel in the crown of Africa, an attempt to create a federation of what is now Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe failed. Then we had a unilateral declaration of independence by Ian Smith, which ultimately led to Robert Mugabe coming to power. There was a terrible early episode directed against the minority Matabele people, but that apart the new ZANU-PF government gave the country much hope for the future.
Well, we know what happened subsequently. The initial response from the British Government was pathetic and anaemic. It was quite obvious to us that the expulsion of white farmers would lead to economic collapse. For whatever reason, the Government effectively told us that we were being hysterical. Their response – when something could have been done – was very muted, and they refused to put real pressure on South Africa. Ironically, it was the old apartheid regime which brought the Ian Smith government to its knees by threatening to cut off energy supplies. We suggested the same to the current South African government, to no avail.
So the economy has imploded and now there are rumblings of real dissent amongst the defence and security forces. It has been surprising that Zimbabweans have been so passive so far, preferring to vote with their feet. Millions now live abroad, many in real hardship.
When so much of Africa is now doing much better in economic terms, Zimbabwe is a real and tragic blot. It is a matter for regret that the so-called peer review mechanism amongst African leaders has failed, and external criticism has been very limited indeed.
At a time when consciousness of Africa’s needs has never been higher, we can only hope that Mugabe’s rule will end soon. Few countries have been so destroyed so quickly by one man.