Bob Marley’s seminal hit
With the country’s fate now being decided by politicians who were, only until recently, sworn enemies African mediation efforts could be about to yield a positive result. It does appear as if South African President Thabo Mbeki’s much maligned quiet diplomacy may yet yield some semblance of order in
Now I have to confess that I am one of those people who have strongly criticized Thabo Mbeki’s quiet diplomacy in as far as he appeared to shirk his responsibilities as the leader of the most powerful and influential nation in the region. Like many others, I felt that he did not, as he should have done from the very beginning of this crisis, robustly challenge Mugabe’s repression of his own people. He should have made it very clear that
However, one has to concede that should Mbeki broker this GNU as seems likely at this point, he will certainly gain many plaudits from many, including myself, who had long ridiculed and criticized his efforts up to now. Never mind the revolting possibility that the agreement may provide the despicable Mugabe with immunity against prosecution for all his sins; the people of Zimbabwe have suffered for so long, that all they want is peace in their neighbourhoods and food on their table and an economy that functions and is devoid of world record high inflation figures. If the GNU can deliver this then Thabo Mbeki would be a considered an African hero and statesman. Also significantly his efforts would have at least shown that Africans can, eventually, solve their own problems and that perhaps there is some hope after all for the vast conflict-ridden continent.
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