ZIMBABWE GOES TO ELECTIONS – AMID SPECULATIONS OF MASSIVE RIGGING

Zimbabwe went to polls yesterday amid wide speculation that the President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF was set to rig the elections on a massive scale. Morgan Tswangirai, the Prime Minister and leader of MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) has already expressed apprehension on the outcome of results due to massive rigging. In the 2008 elections, it was MDU which emerged victorious but Robert Mugabe, 89, President of Zimbabwe declined to accept the defeat and decided to stick to Presidency though Tswangirai and his followers who constituted a majority went on a protest which shook Zimbabwe for a prolonged period against Mugabe’s decision to order for a run-off which was not acceptable to Morgan Tswangirai and his party. In order to find a way out of the precarious situation leaders of certain African countries played mediators and after consistent efforts it was decided that Mugabe continue as President and Tswangirai as Prime Minister.

Now that after a lapse of five years, since 2008, a hastily - called election was declared, amidst wide-spread demands by the citizens of Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans demand a regime change since the Zimbabwean economy is in a shambles. Reports pouring from Zimbabwe present a dismal picture of the economy. It is reported that from 1998-2005 economy contracted by 40% and inflation rate has sky-rocketed upto 231 million per unit, with the value of country’s currency nearing big zero. No development forthcoming, unemployment at its peak, people reeling under massive poverty and malnutrition, Zimbabwe finds itself in a ‘ditch’.

Mugabe who became President of Zimbabwe in 1980 on attainment of freedom from Whites was then respected and revered as a savior of the country. He was seen as most apt leader of Zimbabwe. With his firm grip on Zimbabwe as President, this black leader once the beloved rule bared his authoritarian streak mistaking himself to be ruler of the nation throughout his life. 

Now that more than a democrat, he has evolved into an absolute autocrat with an iron fist over his country.

While the urban Zimbabwe holds a massive sway in favour of Tswangirai, through land reforms Mugabe’s ZANU-PF is rumoured as having hold on entire Zimbabwe.  

Robert Mugabe’s argument that Morgan Tswangirai and his party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), are agents of imperialists is laughable. He goes on asserting that he will never allow his nation to be in the hands of imperialism and ‘imperialist agents’ like Tswangirai.

With the Zimbabwean currency losing its value steeply, it is true Tswangirai aims at dollarize the economy not because he is an imperialist agent. He aspires to lift the economy from the deep ditch Zimbabwe finds itself, by giving a facelift to the impoverished nation. It is a billion dollar question whether a change of regime is possible or Mugabe goes on playing with his oft-repeated arguments. All feel like this old man is not ready to change with time. A massive obstacle in the form of Robert Mugabe seems to be blocking the onward march of Tswangirai and massive majority aspiring for a change for good.