The Zimbabwe Election And The Democratic Process

Submitted by Yardbroom

Tomorrow there is the much awaited general election in Zimbabwe, its importance lies not only in the result, but in how the election is conducted or perceived post voting.

President Robert Mugabe under a veneer of democracy has been able to rule Zimbabwe for almost three decades – 28 years – and there is a belief held within the country and by some outside observers that the election will be stolen from the main opposition party, led by Morgan Tsvangirai and to a lesser extent Mugabe’s former finance Minister who resigned in 2002 Simba Makoni.

With the recent debacle in Kenya and the subsequent lost of life because of alleged vote rigging, there appears to be tension in the air and an atmosphere of fear. It is true a lot of this has been generated by the foreign media who no doubt have their own agenda, but that does not mean Zimbabweans have not been seriously disadvantaged in recent years. Some Western Governments have said without restraint, that South Africa should do more to put pressure on Robert Mugabe, but in so doing they fail to understand the hurt felt by many Africans about the colonial and post -colonial period, when Western Governments were not so quick to condemn Ian Smith and his regime, when they set about acquiring African lands and also prevented Africans from voting, in what they considered democratic elections in Rhodesia.

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This does not justify Mugabwe’s regime, but it helps us to understand how he has arrived at his present position. I will make the point, I have no sympathy for Mugabe, as he has lost his way and is now an obstruction to progress in Zimbabwe.

Are there lessons to be learned in the Caribbean generally? I feel they are.

In recent years there has been violence in some Caribbean elections, Barbados so far has been spared that and we should be thankful. In passing it would be churlish not to mention the previous BLP Administration and in particular the former Prime Minister of Barbados Mr. Owen Arthur for apart from a “few minor irregularities” the transfer of power was conducted in a statesmanlike manner, he should be commended for his part and influence in that regard. The benefit of honesty in the democratic process, is the knowledge that in time you will have another opportunity, should the incumbent administration fail to deliver.

Recent months have given Barbadians something to be proud of in the way they have conducted the Democratic process, an example our larger and richer brothers could well take note of. There are some things we – Barbadians – do stand tall in, and no harm can be done by saying so.