Tom, I think Robert had years of watching Uncle Mo doin' the danceOriginally Posted by Tom Odom
Let's face it, Mo was nearly famous for his adept political maneuvers. I recall the way in which he literally invited the head of an opposition group (Etienne Tshisekedi) to form a new government.
Hell, it actually worked til some bonehead tried to replace the Bank of Zaire President
If you want to blend in, take the bus
Mugabe meets opposition
The State Opening of Parliament in Harare took a different form on Tuesday, alas without any film footage, but the BCC News carries this report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7583128.stm
Since then President Mugabe has declared a government can be formed without the MDC, so no real change there.
We can only hope the jeering had an effect.
davidbfpo
Mugabe rejects coalition?
The UK daily Telegraph reports President Mugabe has issued an ultimatium to the opposition MDC: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-Zimbabwe.html
davidbfpo
Same announcement covered here.
see also:September 4, 2008
Robert Mugabe gives Morgan Tsvangarai power-sharing ultimatum
President Mugabe has delivered an ultimatum to his rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, to sign up for a power-sharing agreement with his ruling Zanu (PF) party or face being frozen out of the new Cabinet to be announced tomorrow.
“If after tomorrow [Thursday], Tsvangirai does not want to sign, we will certainly put together a Cabinet,” Mr Mugabe told the state-controlled Herald newspaper.
The move would violate the founding conditions of the talks and signal Mr Mugabe's repudiation of the process doggedly pursued by South Africa’s President Mbeki for 18 months.
All of this makes me repeat what I said on this same thread on March 19 2008:Comment: Boo and hiss as much as you like, Robert Mugabe’s still in power
Jonathan Clayton
Zimbabwe sailed into uncharted waters this week with only one thing certain: President Mugabe’s hand is still firmly on the rudder.
Although his ruling Zanu (PF) party lost the position of Speaker of Parliament on Monday for the first time since independence in 1980, talk of it being the endgame for the octogenarian’s brutal rule is premature.
“We are back at square one, and Mugabe is on top,” Professor Sipho Seepe, a political analyst in neighbouring South Africa, said. “Mugabe has outwitted the Opposition and the entire international community and there is no reason to believe any concessions are on the way.
Cynic that I am, I don't think Mugabe will leave so quietly...
Tom
Putting On the Fiscal Mo-Jo
I am in a time warp. It is October 1993 and just finishing 2 weeks vacation in Haiti (yes I am indeed warped in ways beyond time) I step off a plane to meet Stan and Dean Schultz in K-town. They great me with the news that the old Zaire which had inflated to a 10 Million note worth pennies on the street had been replaced with the New Zaire set at 4NZ to the dollar.
Now it has migrated: 10 Trillion for 1,000 will still only get you a loaf of bread
ARARE, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has introduced a $1,000 note -- $10 trillion in the old value -- as the country battles to end cash shortages in the hyper-inflationary environment.
Zimbabwe's currency is trading around Z$350 -- $35 trillion in the old value -- against U.S. dollar.
However, analysts said the new note -- which can only buy a loaf of bread -- will not ease pressure on cash shortages because of the ever-increasing prices.
"It will not make even a small impact. What we need in Zimbabwe is a clear change of policies, start production and then inflation will start easing up," said John Robertson, an economic consultant. "The zeros seem to be coming back no matter how often they slash them."
I only caught a brief mention of it on CNN International with the sound turned down, but did Mugabe agree to a coalition government recently? And did the opposition accept the terms?
I cannot find much due to the internet filters here that run during the day. What sort of commentary is out there concerning the situation on the ground?
More importantly, what does the prospect of a coalition government really mean in terms of economic recovery? What Mugabe policies (which contributed to the decline) are subject to review and reversal, if any?
On a side note, can anyone (I imagine Jedburgh will swoop in to the rescue with a reference) post a study or such that highlights just what Mugabe-centric policies influenced the current economic problems?
Last edited by jcustis; 09-21-2008 at 10:00 AM.
Re Power Sharing
Sir
Yes there has been an agreement on power sharing, however at the present time said agreement appears to be wobbling over who gets what Cabinet position. Mugabe retains his position as Head of the Army, while Tsvangirai gets power over the Police. The CIO (secret police) will apparently be disbanded (transfered to Military Intelligence is more likely). My friends "in-country" tell me that many of those living there are very supportive of all this, however they also say that this support is being driven by complete desperation. Basically things are now so bad, that any relief is welcome.
Most professional commentators and many members of the press, are a lot less enthuisiastic about this state of affairs. There is complete cynicism that Mugabe will ever place himself in any position that leaves him open to charges for genocide etc etc, so real power will always remain his (and to hell with the consequences and everyone who dislikes him etc and forget agreements!) Some are hopeful nevertheless that some good will still come of this, even though when the details are looked at it seems to me and many others that the MDC may have actually just shot itself in the head. We cant find anything tangible that shows ZanuPF have genuinely given up anything.
We have been here before, when Bob forced Joshua Nkomo into talks, we just saw the destruction of the opposition as a result etc. There will be no genuine "deals" while a Mafia remains in control. Even if Mugabe goes, those who have made themselves fabulously and corruptly rich over the last few decades and who were involved in the massacres of the eighties (and 2000, and 2002, and . . . ) will just find themselves another Godfather.
There is also a great deal of pessimism amoungst the Zim diaspora too, and theres no rush to go back home.
A pity really, Mbeki got what he wanted by leaving Mugs in control, the country wallows in despair, and the economy etc continues to decline.
I.R
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