I wouldn’t mention this based just on news stories, but I’m modestly well-connected in that part of the world, and I’ve been hearing in recent days that this time there might be a real change underway in Zimbabwe.
Defying expectations, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been sworn in as Prime Minister:
…. the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy, Arthur Mutambara, in Zimbabwe following a historic deal to form a unity government….
The interesting thing here (for your humble correspondent) is that because of my travels to and business connections in southern Africa, I’m only one-degree-of-separation removed from Arthur Mutambara! (I’ll stop there for now, but maybe I’ll be able to visit and interview him at some point in the not-too-distant future and report on it here….)
The Movement for Democratic Change has also been given a number of cabinet portfolios; details here.
I realize that we’ve all pretty much given up on Zimbabwe – and just seeing some news reports that looked good wouldn’t much pique my interest.
But I’m hearing a surprising bit of excitement from down there – that this is indeed the start, at last, of real and positive change in Zimbabwe.
Let us hope and pray that this is indeed the case….
Steve Maley
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Where does this leave Mugabe?
Dan McLaughlin (Diary) Tuesday, February 10th at 9:27PM EST (link)If the answer doesn’t include the word “gallows,” I will take a wait and see view on this.
“No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong.” – Winston Churchill
Mugabe
Skanderbeg (Diary) Tuesday, February 10th at 9:32PM EST (link)Mugabe is still President; his ZANU-PF party still controls half the cabinet posts; Tsvangirai is PM, and his MDC controls the other half. That’s half a loaf, but even getting that is a really stunner.
Mugabe is 84; he’ll hopefully pass from the scene soon. The new people are finally in the building and ready to start fixing things.
Let us hope that this is indeed NOT a false dawn.
My main above-normal hope is based on what I’m personally hearing from down that way….
That would be wonderful for those poor people
Dan McLaughlin (Diary) Tuesday, February 10th at 9:57PM EST (link)but unless Mugabe is in such ill health (possible) that he agreed to this as a graceful way to avoid a Ceaucescu/Mussolini exit, I remain skeptical that it will stick. I mean, this is a guy who created a cholera epidemic by cutting off clean water to towns that had a lot of opposition.
“No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong.” – Winston Churchill
Mugabe
Skanderbeg (Diary) Tuesday, February 10th at 10:01PM EST (link)Yeah, I know.
But that he would back off to even allow this may be very significant.
Again, I wouldn’t have any optimism except because of what I’m hearing (privately) from down that way….
God bless them
Beaglescout (Diary) Wednesday, February 11th at 1:43AM EST (link)I hope it works out. The butcher may have had a change of heart. I’ve heard of such things happening before.
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
Problems with thse political compromises
Michael M. Keohane (Diary) Tuesday, February 10th at 9:44PM EST (link)The trouble with these “coalition governments” is that, although the sheep may lie down with the lion, only the lion will get up.
Do not classify the words or deeds of your opponents as being hatefull, malicious or criminal in nature if they can also be easily characterized as simple ignorance or gross stupidity. Anon.
Different
Skanderbeg (Diary) Tuesday, February 10th at 9:53PM EST (link)That’s what I’d normally think.
The only reason this one is interesting is because I’m hearing from people I know down there who aren’t disconnected and who aren’t unrealistic that this one is real….
Thanks very, very much
theancientmariner (Diary) Tuesday, February 10th at 10:09PM EST (link)I have friends in Zimbabwe and have been praying hard for them (and posting occasionally on the situation) for quite some time; it’s good to have some good news at last.
Problem is...
nathanl Tuesday, February 10th at 10:14PM EST (link)The Problem I see though now is that President Obama seems to be reluctant to distribute foreign aid, or at least that is what I am hearing. If I am wrong on President Obama’s direction, please correct me. And the sad part is, this is exactly the sort of situation that I believe foreign aid should be used for, rewarding those who make moves towards a more democratic government and thereby bettering the lives of the people in those countries. Not a monstrous amount, but enough to show them that democracy and not dictatorships is the best way to run a country.
Zimbabwe
OccamsRazor (Diary) Wednesday, February 11th at 1:12AM EST (link)Standing upon the precipice of BO’s economic spending package, at least we know what bottom looks like.
100 trillion Zimbabwe dollar equals 300 US?
What’s cholera at these days?
The bread basket of Africa?
This certainly couldn’t be worse news I hope. Only uphill from here.