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Mugabe comfortable in the driving seat
Youth Forum
August 23, 2008

The SADC and AU endorsed President Robert Mugabe is in a comfort zone following the signing of a power sharing deal on the 15th of September. This was an opportunity for him to plead for mercy from SADC and AU states as well as lambasting the West for pressing for his exit. His speech mainly touched on these issues and of great emphasis was Botswana's 'negative' stance on the Zimbabwean crisis which Mugabe said it was uncalled for. He also took time to praise leaders who stood by him in the trying times especially South Africa's former president, Thabo Mbeki. He even took that chance to lash at the MDC-T as a violent party. This shows how unrepentant he is for the atrocities which he committed ahead of his one man presidential race.

He is now dragging his feet concerning the appointment of cabinet because he feels safe with his inefficient and corrupt ZANU PF cabinet. Last night Dr Misheck Sibanda announced on national radio that all ministers should continue with their roles as chief executive officers of their ministries. This shows that the pressure which Mugabe and his ZANU PF party were in is over following the euphoria which the nation seems to be in following the signing of the deal. The international community seems to be generally positive about this latest development, with some saying they need time to study the political will of the parties which signed the agreement.

Hate speech continues in the national media with the likes of Ceaser Zvayi, a Herald reporter and George Charamba the presidential spokesman in his column called Nathaniel Manheru, he attacked MDC supporters who attended the signing in ceremony as hungry and visibly drunk people who were paid to come and endorse Tsvangirai. He even lambasted all those who feel Tsvangirai is now powerful saying that he still reports to Mugabe and that the council of ministers which he chairs implements the decisions of the cabinet, he also emphasized that the service chiefs would not salute Tsvangirai since they are all members of security council which is chaired by Robert Mugabe. Meanwhile Robert Mugabe is in New York proving that he can even go to America despite the travel bans imposed on him. Right now it seems its Tsvangirai who is in a fix after having committed himself to hug a python. The wait for the keys to the Zimbabwe House seems to be very long for Morgan Tsvangirai, being a statesman as was aptly emphasized during the signing ceremony. It makes it difficult for him to take the opposition stance. He was therefore put on mute till further notice. The civic groups also seem to be taking a wait and see approach since any moves are likely to jeopardise chances of being in Mugabe's government.

The Zimbabwean situation therefore remains gloomy especially for the Zimbabwean youth who at present have not witnessed the slightest change to their lives of suffering and tribulation after the signing of the September 15 agreement. Whilst the signing of the agreement is a positive step in the resolution of the Zimbabwean political crisis, the Youth Forum urges the youth and all Zimbabweans not to tire in their quest for a democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe. The onus is more on the people to ensure that the political parties in question adhere to their promise to work together for the well-being of Zimbabwe. There is definitely that need to put pressure on these political parties, especially their principles to ensure that the agreement that they reached translates to positive change on the ground for the good of all Zimbabweans.

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