LexisNexis Global

President Robert Mugabe and his political party, the ZANU-PF, operate a regime in which the “rule of law” means what best serves Mugabe’s self-interest. Political opposition, such as an aide to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is imprisoned on trumped up charges where criticism of Mugabe’s human rights abuses is interpreted as a “coup attempt.” Zimbabwean judge orders Bennett back to jail (Associated Press, Oct. 14, 2009). Under these circumstances, it remains doubtful that Prime Minister Tsvangirai and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will bring about meaningful reform in a coalition government.

Public relations stunts, like the recent release of nine human rights activists falsely accused of terrorism, are inadequate gestures. Zimbabwe: Mugabe calls for new links with West (Associated Press, Oct. 6, 2009). The released activists are suing the government for one half billion dollars based on their alleged torture while imprisoned. Zimbabwe activists sue state for $500 million (Associated Press, Oct. 2, 2009).

Mugabe has a history of inciting violence based on skin color, destroyed the once-thriving agriculture industry that fed Zimbabwe’s citizens, and mismanaged the economy into hyperinflation. According to the International Crisis Group, Mugabe selectively starved his political opposition by denying food. Zimbabwe’s silent, selective starvation (Aug. 29, 2002). According to Human Rights Watch, the coalition government has not improved human rights. Mugabe’s supporters in law enforcement and the judicial system abuse their powers to harass and prosecute MDC supporters. False Dawn: The Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Government’s Failure to Deliver Human Rights Improvements (Human Rights Watch, Aug. 31, 2009), thus emasculating the authority and hopes of the coalition partners while continuing to carry out Mugabe’s reign of political terror.

Under these circumstances, it is unlikely that Zimbabwe will be welcomed back into the community of nations until Mugabe is no longer in power. 85 years old, time may solve the issue, if he is not deposed first; the question that remains is what untainted authority remains in Zimbabwe that could carry out such an act. Mugabe’s minions are likely to resort to civil war rather than obey the rule of law or the democratic will of the Zimbabwean people, both of which they have ignored for so long.  It is quite ironic that Mugabe earlier in life  earned two law degrees from the University of London External Programme while he was serving time as a politcal prisoner  in Salisbury from 1964 to 1975.  Also ironic is the haunting notion that this last of the post-colonial "Cold War" leaders might have been influenced by the nation's founder, Cecil Rhodes, who in his first will sought to a secret society  "the true aim and object whereof shall be for the extension of" Mugabe-inspired  "rule throughout" Zimbabwe.  Certainly, one cannot envision Mugabe having conferred upon him at his funeral the Matabele royal salute "Bayete" accorded to Cecil Rhodes.