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By
Jon’osi Sibanda
WHAT
self-respecting Zimbabwean would support the imposition or retention
of sanctions against Zimbabwe and his fellow countrymen?
It would seem that out of ignorance, or in a quest to obtain political power, many Zimbabweans are publicly supporting the sanctions imposed against Zimbabwe by the USA, the EU and Australia.
Contrary to the protestations made by the US and EU, their sanctions are economic in nature. This coupled with ZANU PF’s disastrous handling of the consequences of the economic sanctions, the ill-conceived land redistribution programme, corruption, and general indiscipline by all sectors of Zimbabwean society are the reasons why we have the highest inflation rate in the world and a crumbling institutional infrastructure.
That said; it is important for all of us to realise that the Zimbabwean economy is an issue of national interest, around which we must have unity of purpose, and is not to be peddled for political gain. The US and EU economic sanctions, as well as ZANU PF’s disastrous handling of the country’s economy must be of concern to all Zimbabweans, irrespective of political persuasion.
Those Zimbabweans who argue that the sanctions imposed by the US in particular are not economic in nature must read the legislation promulgated by the USA called the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, 2001 (ZDERA). It is this enactment that blocks Zimbabwe’s access to the multilateral financial lending agencies, such as the IMF, the World Bank and the African Development Bank, among others. And it is this enactment that we must focus on, instead of debating the phrasing used to describe the nature of the sanctions.
It is no coincidence that when Mr. Christopher Dell – the US ambassador to Zimbabwe - refers to sanctions against Zimbabwe, he says they are “smart” or “targeted,” yet pointedly fails to explain why ZDERA was enacted, whether it blocks Zimbabwe’s access to international financial markets and the economic consequences of such a blockade.
It is true that the travel bans and freezing of assets are specific to some individuals in ZANU PF or that work in government institutions. But the sanctions are more extensive than the travel bans and asset freezes. Many farms have been placed on the economic sanctions list, as have many parastatals. These entities which provide employment and earn foreign currency for the country are unable to access their traditional markets. And those who wish to argue that the EU and US have a right to choose who they trade with, must realise that these sanctions were not imposed on a point of principle. Principle has nothing to do with it; otherwise the US and the EU would not have been trading with China, Lybia or Pakistan among a few. The sanctions are about self-interest, and a desire to punish the young nation of Zimbabwe for daring to threaten the private property rights of the white farmers in an (ill-advised) effort to correct the iniquitous distribution of land and wealth.
It beggars belief the number of Zimbabweans who have gullibly bought the US and EU propaganda that the sanctions are not economic and are not responsible for a significant part of the economic crisis facing the nation. For example; in an article appearing in the 16th June Independent newspaper, Philip Pasirayi claimed that it was not time to remove the sanctions against Mugabe. It is tragic that even such educated Zimbabweans can be this terribly misinformed, or willing to see the nation suffer with a view to punishing Mugabe and creating a situation where the MDC can obtain political power.
It is naïve to think that the US and EU imposed the economic sanctions because they have the best interests of Zimbabwe at heart. To those reading this article; think of the number of relatives that have died because of a lack of medication, or that relative who is no longer attending school because of lack of money, or of the families and homes that have broken up because of the stress and tribulations caused by unemployment and other social ill bred by an economic crisis. That is what economic sanctions and gross mismanagement of the economy does to the fabric of society. Yes ZANU PF is to blame, but the Americans and the Europeans are not blameless in this crisis either. Their actions have catalysed the economic crisis.
In addition, some people seem to forget that the US and the UK did not support us in our struggle for self determination and independence. Ask yourself why it is that the UK negotiated for land occupied by white farmers to be protected from expropriation for ten years after independence. And when called upon to pay up, they argued that as a Labour government, they were not responsible for the negotiations entered into by the Conservatives. Talk about protecting white privilege and for taking the majority of Zimbabweans for fools.
Fellow Zimbabweans; true, Mugabe has overstayed his welcome, but we have a nation to build, and we must not burn down our house merely because a cobra has slithered indoors.
And we must not forget the lessons of history and who our family and friends really are. Let not money betray your soul.
What benefits have we accrued as a nation since the imposition of sanctions by the EU and the US, other than sheer pain and suffering, a disintegrating economy, hyper-inflation, collapse of health facilities and loss of employment?
No matter how bad Mugabe is, Zimbabweans are duty and honour bound to defend the integrity of the country, and this obligation also extends to the MDC (both factions).
What will it take for the MDC to realise that the economic sanctions imposed to effect regime change and enable the MDC to obtain political power are destroying the country and causing death and suffering? Those who feel umbrage at this stage must again refer to ZDERA and see what it says about the US reasons for imposing the economic sanctions; which is regime change.
Zimbabwe’s economy is being asphyxiated through the economic sanctions and tragically with the full complicity of the MDC. It is disingenuous for the MDC to argue, as it has done in the past, that it is not responsible for the imposition of the sanctions, as it is not in control of the foreign policy of the US and the EU. This position is churlish. All bona fide and legitimate political parties must stand united against the imposition of economic sanctions that ravage and destroy our way of life and our aspirations.
Those within the MDC who are true patriots must stand up, take a position on, and campaign for the end of the economic sanctions. Those whose strings are pulled by the US and some EU governments will of course dance to the tune of their piper.
It does the MDC no good to parrot that Zimbabwe is a failed state, regurgitate statistics on hyperinflation and the recession. What Zimbabweans deserve to see are the MDC’s policies on removing barriers to Zimbabwe’s access to international capital, and its other developmental policies, including how it will deal with the current farm land realities.
ZANU PF on the other hand is a failure. And Zimbabweans ought to appreciate that Mugabe will most likely be leaving Zimbabwean politics in the near future. It is time therefore for ZANU PF to take stock. They have failed the country and have been responsible for many grave human rights violations. They have been undisciplined, with many of them taking part in corrupt activities, trading on the black market, grabbing two or more farms each, and externalising foreign currency.
Capable leadership is one that realises when it is not winning. ZANU PF is not winning this economic war being waged by the US, the EU and Australia. It is imperative therefore for ZANU PF to change its ways; repackage itself so that it can have the economic sanctions currently strangling the country removed.
Mugabe is the past and not the future; he is only one man and an old one at that. Zimbabwe and its gains made since 1980 cannot be made hostage to the fortunes of one man; one who has already played his part and must be enabled to leave the political stage. In addition, the struggle for self-determination, and economic empowerment should not be personified by Mugabe. Fresh minds and energy is required, and Mugabe and his old colleagues in ZANU PF are not the way forward.
In a nutshell, there are national issues which transcend political affiliations, which cannot and must be peddled for short political or monetary gain. We owe it to ourselves and our children to build a long lasting and stable democracy and economy. We ought to carefully choose our external partners, and those who do not have our national interests at heart must be jettisoned.
Jon’osi
is writing in his personal capacity and may be contacted at jbbsibanda@yahoo.co.nz
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