Motlanthe flunks first test

Nothing could illustrate the failure of African leadership more clearly than the farce that took place in Harare this weekend. Following the debacle last week when Morgan Tsvangirai refused to travel on an emergency travel document restricted to Swaziland, the SADC organ on politics and security convened in Harare this Monday. It was attended by the Presidents of South Africa and Mozambique as well as the Prime Minister of Swaziland and an official from Angola.

They know exactly what the problem is - in March the MDC beat Zanu PF in a closely contested election and its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai beat Mugabe by a wide margin. These leaders know that Morgan got more than 50 per cent of the vote - I understand his actual vote was 54 per cent but after five weeks of procrastination and desperate efforts to falsify the poll the Junta was forced to admit that Mugabe had been beaten but that Tsvangirai had received less than 50 per cent and would have to face a run off.

The South Africans know full well that the real result was a clear victory for MDC and a humiliation for Mugabe, but went along with the charade and allowed the run off to take place. What followed was three months of intense political violence unleashed on the population by 100 000 youth militia under military leadership in over 2000 camps spread throughout the country.

When finally it became apparent that any attempt by the MDC to monitor the election would be faced with violence and even the murder of MDC polling agents, the MDC decided to pull out of the contest. Zanu PF went ahead and in complete contrast to the March election, Mugabe was declared the winner in 48 hours and sworn in, in unseemly haste.

The African observer missions then turned Zanu's world upside down by declaring that the election had 'not been a reflection of the people's will' and stating that Mugabe had not been elected President. Battered and bruised, the MDC and the hapless electorate picked themselves up and were then faced with a demand by SADC leaders that they 'resume' the talks with Zanu PF under the mediation of Thabo Mbeki.

Mbeki picked up from where his previous mediation had left off, as if nothing had happened in the interim. We are now 4 months down the road on that new initiative and having agreed and signed a power sharing agreement on the 15th September; we are still trying to get the deal implemented. In signing the deal, the MDC massively compromised its rights as the Party that had won the elections outright in March.

Mugabe, who by all accounts lost the election in March and certainly has no legal or democratic justification to call himself President, continues to act as if he had won the election and Hansard still lists all Zanu PF ministers and Deputy Ministers as Ministers of Government. No doubt they are still on their full salaries and perks even though a number of them were defeated by MDC in the election in March and all of them were stood down as Ministers when Parliament was sworn in a few weeks ago.

Just to compound this situation Mugabe is treated as a State President by SADC and given full political and diplomatic recognition. The so called 'Global Agreement' provides for a clear separation of powers between the Prime Minister and the President and also sets out in precise terms how the different arms of government are expected to work together.

Only an idiot could interpret the agreement as meaning that Zanu PF is still in charge and MDC is the junior partner. It is self evident that the allocation of ministerial portfolios should be divided equitably, So when, after weeks of pointless argument Zanu PF published an allocation of Ministerial portfolios that gave Zanu PF complete control of the security machinery of the state as well as all resource ministries and left the rest to the MDC, it was a step too far.

That brought the region back into the process and gave us the hope that the regional leadership would recognise the illogical and unacceptable nature of such an allocation and impose a solution on the local players that made sense. First it was Mbeki and he made a hash of things - actually endorsing the Zanu PF allocation of posts! Then came the Troika and the aborted meeting in Swaziland.

Morgan had raised the issue of his passport with the negotiators and when he was issued with a Emergency Travel Document with a single destination restriction he refused to travel. In fact the issue goes far beyond just the question of withholding his travel documents (the passport has been ready for weeks and is sitting in the desk of the Registrar General) it was just the latest of a series of incidents that show that the Junta in Harare has no intention of allowing the new government to be formed.

They are continuing to restrict and interfere with food distribution by the international community. They have retained tight control over commercial food distribution. The security forces continue to attack any attempts by civil society to support the negotiation process and the media is as warped and restricted as ever. There has been no attempt to implement the 'Global Agreement' in any form up to now.

When Morgan Tsvangirai failed to attend the Troika meeting it was aborted and reorganised for Harare a week later. In Harare the key player was always going to be the new President of South Africa, Mr. Motlanthe. This was his first real test when it comes to foreign affairs and for most of us it seemed completely logical that he would step up to the plate and smash a home run.

But no - after 13 hours of intense 'negotiations' they came out of the closet and issued a statement that did not change one single element in the situation (see here). The issue would go a full meeting of SADC Heads of State in two weeks time. What an even larger group of hopeless leaders will do is difficult to imagine. The key player remains Motlanthe, he alone has the power and influence to force a resolution and it just that that is required. The Junta will never give up power without the use of force in whatever form and if that is not going to come from the streets, it has to come diplomatically behind closed doors.

In 1976 that pressure came from the South Africans in support of an initiative by the American Secretary of State, in 1979 it was pressure from Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania. The only question now is who will do the necessary in 2008?

While this charade is being played out, southern Africa burns. In the midst of the global financial crisis, we look indecisive and ineffective. By failing to take crucial decisions on issues such as inter Party violence in South Africa and the resolution of the crisis in Zimbabwe - all within our own clear competence, we are failing our respective countries, the region and our people's best interests.

It was up to the Secretary General of the United Nations to spell out what was needed. He called for an equitable allocation of Ministerial portfolios and the formation of a new government in Harare as soon as possible. He said that only such a move would bring the political and economic crisis under control. He is right, are our leaders up to it this time? Failure is just that would be 'too ghastly to contemplate'.

Eddie Cross is MP for Bulawayo South and the Policy Coordinator for the Movement for Democratic Change. This article first appeared on www.eddiecross.africanherd.com/ October 28 2008

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In Harare the key player was always going to be the new President of South Africa, Mr. Motlanthe. This was his first real test when it comes to foreign affairs and for most of us it seemed completely logical that he would step up to the plate and smash a home run. But no - after 13 hours of intense 'negotiations' they came out of the closet and issued a statement that did not change one single element in the situation."

Eddie Cross

 

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responses to this article

Fook this Country and Fook Africa I just cat bear to watch this anymore by J on October 29 2008, 18:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Motlanthe Motlanthe is nothing more than a party hack who has been chosen to keep the seat warm for Zuma. He has no personal following and no power. Those reporters who suggested otherwise when he was appointed were either flying kites or suffer from defective . .more brain syndrome. Motlanthe is president in name only and would be unseated with alacrity if he attempted to wield power in any way different from Zuma's instructions. . .less by Jack on October 30 2008, 03:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Forget SADC The welfare of the proletariat in Zimbabwe is unimportant; they are non-humans. Remember Nie Blankes under apartheid? Same principle, except that a paternalistic admin saw to 'nie blanke' needs. SADC (with few exceptions) is a club of Big Men concerned . .more only with their own power, greed and interests. They'll sink Zimbabwe. . .less by Zim Exile on October 30 2008, 05:39 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

question to editor Dear sir, Please tell us who the president of South Africa is. We used to have the re-incarnation of Rasputin who sat in dark corners (usually in foreign countries) pulling the strings and talking about new paradigms but apparently he was given . .more the pink ticket. We have been informed that there is a temporary president whose function is to keep the cushions of state warm for a certain Jacobus Zuma who apparently is capable of talking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time. But who is this new president? How do we know he exists? Is the ANC terrified of letting the presidential persona loose in public for fear he might do a sort of maypole dance extolling the virtues of bazookas or cruise missiles? Or is it that he is finding it difficult to learn his lines and cannot be relied upon to mouth the words penned in Luthuli kaya? I think we should be told . .less by Plutarch on October 30 2008, 07:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Motlanthe flunks Let me ask Afrika: What role is, for instance, Botswana playing; what role have they played? They are being paraded as model leaders who aren't biased in the furore in Zim. Besides screaming from the sidelines have has Botswana actively done. RSA invested . .more time, money and resources to solve the crisis in Zim. Put is Bluntly: It is not RSA's responsibility to find the solutions for Zim. the two MDCs and ZANU-PF need to grow up. it is their responsibility!! Motlanthe's success IS NOT MEASURED ON ZIM. I am dissappointed at the level of engagement of people who have access to internet. Who make the loudest noise. I thought they had better matric results than Julius. It goes on to show that matric does not tell the whole story!!! Shame . .less by Tlhapi on October 30 2008, 07:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Africa Look at the facts. Not Zuma by Vox on October 30 2008, 08:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Dear sir If the apatheid gov had shown us this stuff while we were young it never would have ended. Africans cannot govern or even look after their own Young they can only Rape and steal and kill. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew4rd1YyD7A by J on October 30 2008, 08:58 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Dear J 'J" - Do only Africans rape and steal? C'mon, I won't even dignify that with a comment. Suffice to say - do yo see yourself as an African? Africa certainly has it's challenges and we have potential too. I agree with Tlhapi - let us use this forum . .more responsibly. It is meant for meaningful dialogue, not for people who are have not come to terms with the change in our country. "J" - you need to find your space and define your role. . .less by TJ on October 30 2008, 09:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ANC government has definitely flunked. The ANC encouraged the use of sanctions on the apartheid regime. Mbeki and Company actively sought to get as many sanctions applied as they could during the struggle. I didn't notice them leaving it up to 10 years of meek and mild "mediations", "troikas" . .more and "sad-sack" (SADC). But now, because uncle Bob is one of the last Big Men (master plunderers/despots) of Africa and because he has a black skin the use of sanctions is condemned in the strongest possible terms by the highly esteemed JZ and the rest of the ANC, including their new puppet Motlanthe. . .less by Dave on October 30 2008, 10:02 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@TJ Sorry you are right i :I am sorry ;Just dont get why people can allow Thousands children to die every day just to point that we have done this in the african way. I have been busy Checking out country by Country in africa whats happening to kids for the . .more last 48 hours and i just dont know how we could have allowed this. . .less by J on October 30 2008, 10:04 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Is the new ANC afraid of booting out Mugabe now? Despite all the anti-Mugabe noises by the Zuma faction before they grabbed power, it seems that now more than ever the ANC must be concerned about the implications of letting Zanu-PF go just before the 2009 South African elections. It all boils down to . .more supporting the liberation movement block in southern Africa. If Zim goes to the "progressives/democrats" could it mean the ANC may lose power next year on a new wave of positive change sweeping across the region? . .less by mjk on October 30 2008, 10:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Botswana and South Africa - the differences Botswana support a democratic dispensation in Zimbabwe and have denounced the dictatorship South Africa supports the dictatorship in Zimbabwe and there is plenty of proof to support this view. by D Benjiman on October 30 2008, 10:27 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

On Zimbabwe What else will Motlanthe do? The process has been there and he can't just come for a home run. Mr Cross tell us what Mr President Kgalema Motlanthe must do maybe you know better that all of us? And please don't forget what the silent diplomacy has done . .more till so far... you will understand my case. Why can't Morgan call for sanctions? . .less by MJM on October 30 2008, 11:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

On Zimbabwe What else will Motlanthe do? The process has been there and he can't just come for a home run. Mr Cross tell us what Mr President Kgalema Motlanthe must do maybe you know better that all of us? And please don't forget what the silent diplomacy has done . .more till so far... you will understand my case. Why can't Morgan call for sanctions? . .less by MJM on October 30 2008, 11:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

On Zimbabwe What else will Motlanthe do? The process has been there and he can't just come for a home run. Mr Cross tell us what Mr President Kgalema Motlanthe must do maybe you know better that all of us? And please don't forget what the silent diplomacy has done . .more till so far... you will understand my case. Why can't Morgan call for sanctions? . .less by MJM on October 30 2008, 11:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Genocide There can not be a political solution for Zim unless Mugabe steps down completely. What is happening in Zim is equivalent to the GENOCIDE in Germany during WW2 and some people will have to stand trial one day. Polititians can not negotiate it away. Mbeki . .more and perhaps his successors will have to explain what they knew and what they did to stop it. What we need is people with guts to finish the job (maybe the Scorpions) . .less by pj on October 30 2008, 12:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zimbabwe The silent diplomacy has brought about chaos at Zimbabwe. I guess the sanctions is one of the best tool which can be used to stop the stupidity happening over there. I know people will argue that sanctions will further bring disasterous situation to the . .more poor people of Zim but my beg to differ with them. If sanctions indeed helped South Africa to see itself where it is today then how they can't help ease the situation in Zim. Mr Cross you must call for sanctions from within Zimbabwe that will clearly prove that you are a Zimbabwean at heart. There is nothing SA will actually do help you, sorry, I mean you should fight from within your country so that the outside world will be able to realize that really you do have problems. During apartheid South Africans who moved out the country had one or two aims, that is, armed struggle or going abroad to further their studies. What about the Zimbabweans? There are lots of them around SA pursuing different agendas other than mentioned above. So really Mr Mugabe has done his countings. There is no one to protect the economically failing Zimbabwe as all the Zims are elsewhere doing somethings different . .less by mj on October 30 2008, 12:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zimbabwe The silent diplomacy has brought about chaos at Zimbabwe. I guess the sanctions is one of the best tool which can be used to stop the stupidity happening over there. I know people will argue that sanctions will further bring disasterous situation to the . .more poor people of Zim but my beg to differ with them. If sanctions indeed helped South Africa to see itself where it is today then how they can't help ease the situation in Zim. Mr Cross you must call for sanctions from within Zimbabwe that will clearly prove that you are a Zimbabwean at heart. There is nothing SA will actually do help you, sorry, I mean you should fight from within your country so that the outside world will be able to realize that really you do have problems. During apartheid South Africans who moved out the country had one or two aims, that is, armed struggle or going abroad to further their studies. What about the Zimbabweans? There are lots of them around SA pursuing different agendas other than mentioned above. So really Mr Mugabe has done his countings. There is no one to protect the economically failing Zimbabwe as all the Zims are elsewhere doing somethings different . .less by mj on October 30 2008, 12:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Zimbabwe The silent diplomacy has brought about chaos at Zimbabwe. I guess the sanctions is one of the best tool which can be used to stop the stupidity happening over there. I know people will argue that sanctions will further bring disasterous situation to the . .more poor people of Zim but my beg to differ with them. If sanctions indeed helped South Africa to see itself where it is today then how they can't help ease the situation in Zim. Mr Cross you must call for sanctions from within Zimbabwe that will clearly prove that you are a Zimbabwean at heart. There is nothing SA will actually do help you, sorry, I mean you should fight from within your country so that the outside world will be able to realize that really you do have problems. During apartheid South Africans who moved out the country had one or two aims, that is, armed struggle or going abroad to further their studies. What about the Zimbabweans? There are lots of them around SA pursuing different agendas other than mentioned above. So really Mr Mugabe has done his countings. There is no one to protect the economically failing Zimbabwe as all the Zims are elsewhere doing somethings different . .less by mj on October 30 2008, 12:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

You lost the track If the ANC was seriously proactive in booting Mad Bob, their cadres will not be allowed to share in the spoils of the DRC, etc. where this countries "military blight" is used to secure ownership of mineral wealth for the special few!!! by Sipho on October 30 2008, 13:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

ZIM The ANC will do nothing.They are petrified that the DA is the next MDC by dave on October 30 2008, 14:01 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Management of War Veterans Most Countries that fought for one man one vote through Liberation wars have a post Liberation challenge of managing wounded and unemployable War veterans! The current debate ushered in by Edie Chross is Short sighted gimic, where on earth did you hear . .more that a Messia is Born in South Africa to give Freedom and Free Lunch for Zimbabweans? Zimbabweans themselves have to Learn to Reconcile and solve Their own Problems ! The Opposition in Particular have to show Sincerity in the History of Their Country and stop Preaching illutions of Economic Miracles under MDC which is already facing Disunity within their Rank and File! Learn from Zambian a Champion in the name of Chiluba came and went with all his Promises Most Zambians still agree with me that Economic Development is not the same as elimination of Poverty and Hunger in our midst. Therefore your Commentry on The President of South Africa by mostly You Africans is indeed very Sad! You are busy Breeding a civil war for Zimbabweans and SADC Region in particular! And Mr Editor it should not be a matter of Selling News papers only but pointing out the way forward for a common Good of all Zimbabweans those who fought in the struggle , those for one reason or another were not participants and SADC Citizens. . .less by Mbokodo on October 30 2008, 14:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Mbokodo: You Have A Problem With The Caps Key? I haven't read such cr*p for a long time. The the heck is "The Opposition in Particular have to show Sincerity in the History of Their Country and stop Preaching illutions of Economic Miracles ..."???? Hey? Really! Sirius! War veterans are . .more merely terrorists. They were never good soldiers anyhow. Most of them are far too young to have fought Ian Smith's regime and they now parade as heroes where in reality they are just Bobs thugs. . .less by Dave on October 30 2008, 15:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

the saviour r.g. mugabe still stuck in the A** end of africa and still milking the liberated land for all it is worth, which is not much these days. stupid people allow this to happen, and there are lots of that kind around here. r.g. mugabe, the great african . .more saviour, what a wonderful legacy you are leaving you evil old c@#t! . .less by jaxon browne on October 30 2008, 16:04 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Eric Cross' letter Is it too much to ask that any debate is run on a civilised basis. It is never necessary to use bad language or to attack anybody else personally.... The problem is no longer in the hands of Mugabe. His Chief of Police and Army Commander have . .more been holding sway for some time. They will have no indemnity if there is a settlement and will serve jail time at least if they are usurped. . .less by erewhon on October 30 2008, 18:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

zimSA Viva Mbokodo. You've got it all. The Zimbabweans must fight for themselves. Mr Cross must know that they are the ones who should fight for the sanctions to be imposed, no one else would do that favour for them. The Zimbabweans are all over South Africa . .more for different reasons rather than that of their country, so what must we do? . .less by mj on October 31 2008, 11:47 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Poor Zim and the rest of Africa There is only one thing that we can be certain about: the African way has failed! We do not respect democracy or any semblance of the VOTE. We do not have the leaders to guide or prevent human tragedies Life is of little value and no-one . .more cares Black Brother'hood' appears to be the way Africa will be governed. . .less by Gadfly on November 10 2008, 10:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mothlanthe is not knowing where he's. being a pres means real business and our know pres has only done spaza shops and keeping the house clean. now let's see how far he can run. by chaplin on November 10 2008, 13:52 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

"Zimbabeans still have to take ownership of where they want to be". We dont have to test our President on this one. "Zimbabeans still have to take ownership of where they want to be". by Matthews Bantsijang on November 10 2008, 16:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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