Mediation In Zimbabwe - A Not So Funny Joke

Mediation in Zimbabwe is a joke – and a poor one at that. Contrary to what was discussed and agreed with Zuma just a couple of weeks ago, Mugabe has backtracked and now longer wants anything to do with the negotiations between his ZANU PF party and the MDC – until such time as what he refers to as “illegal economic” sanctions are removed.

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Even then, there is the idea that any ‘agreement’ with Mugabe would be the subject of much hilarity amongst ZANU PF personnel as they pull yet another one over on the people and the MDC.

Mugabe, historically, has never stood up to his own signature. He will reap the rewards of making an agreement and signing it with whoever it is with, but they will find our very quickly thereafter that Mugabe holds no respect for anyone but himself.

Just how many agreements has he flouted – whilst alleging that things like the Lancaster House Agreement are flouted by the English government?

Why is it that he waited nearly thirty years before he came out with these allegations? Was it because his destructive rule is finally being recognised for what it is – a lie of government being used to enrich the party few?

And so Jacob Zuma's job is turning out to be one of the hardest in the world, certainly in Africa.

He has a youth league leader that is openly radical and this has raised the ire North of the Limpopo, and even a public dressing down by Zuma has failed to rein in Julius Malema.

Then there is the growing pressure with the FIFA world cup in South Africa in two months time.

And there is the crisis in Zimbabwe which just seems to go on and on and on and on and on and....

"South Africa's President Jacob Zuma says he is taking his mediation efforts in Zimbabwe with 'the necessary seriousness and sensitivity', and in an impartial manner.

In a statement to the media at the weekend, President Zuma also touched on a number of other issues, including the ongoing media frenzy over a revolutionary anti-apartheid song and ANC youth leader Cde Julius Malema's ejection of a BBC journalist from a Press conference last week.

"We undertake this task with the necessary seriousness and sensitivity, and have to ensure impartiality at all times.

"We will continue to facilitate the resolution of the impasse in Zimbabwe and to treat all parties with respect.

"We cannot and will not side with any one of the parties to the exclusion of others," he said."

If that is truly the case, then why has no not effected an action following the agreement package that he allegedly brokered a few weeks ago, only to have Mugabe just ignore that and carry on without a care or a whim?

How is it that the party that does not hold the parliamentary majority is permitted to continue as if it was the party in control?

How is it that the man 'elected' as President is permitted to continue in office, even though the securing of that office was only done through threats, intimidation, violence and murder?

"President Zuma has in the past criticised the West for masterminding illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe saying that undermined and divided the inclusive Government."

If Zuma was truly impartial, then he would not be coming out with statements like this. There are no economic sanctions in place on Zimbabwe. The sanctions that are in place are targeted travel sanctions. By alleging that those in place are illegal and economic, Zuma is siding with Mugabe and ZANU PF, something that he claims as mediator he will not do...

Continued mediation is a waste of time and plays into Mugabe's hands.

For the mediator to even attempt to come out on the side of one of the parties, knocks the term 'impartiality' into a cocked hat.

Robb WJ Ellis

The Bearded Man