Robert Mugabe the President of Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe is the president of Zimbabwe. He served as prime minister from 1980 to 1987. Robert Mugabe was elected president in 1987, a post he has held ever since. As part of a unity deal ZAPU and ZANU formed one party known as the ZANU Patriotic Front. The leader has become a controversial figure in the perspective of the West. His reputation is regarded highly in Africa and much of the global south. Robert Mugabe is one of the few African leaders that still champions the spirit and policies of anti-colonial politics. He is demonized and vituperated for this, even though he fought against Apartheid South Africa and supports the cause of the Palestinians. Robert Mugabe is willing to criticize and challenge the US and EU, unlike other African  leaders. His defiance has made him develop foes as well as friends. Since 2003, the US has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe. This makes no sense to a person, who does not understand the context. Zimbabwe is not compliant with US policy in Africa, and thus became a target. Zimbabwe enjoys stronger relations with China and seeks a greater role in Southern African affairs. The UK does not want to see a free Zimbabwe, considering it was once a former colony. Robert Mugabe is in many respects the type of African leader the West despises. He is not compliant with western interests, believes in African solidarity, and hopes to advance the cause of global south resistance.
      Robert Mugabe became politically active in liberation struggle in 1963. He was the original founder of  ZANU. This resistance group fought against British colonial rule and was seeking to be an independent state. All around Africa, Asia, and Latin America people were fighting for liberation against European imperialists. Before becoming involved in politics, he was a teacher. Robert Mugabe taught at Chalimbana Training College and St. Mary's Teacher Training College. Robert Mugabe became more politically aware when visiting Ghana. There he witnessed Kwame Nkrumah transformation of Ghana from a colony to an independent state. There Mugabe proclaimed he favored Marxism and socialist politics. He was determined to fight both racial and social injustice back home. The situation became worse when the laws became more oppressive to ensure white minority rule. Simultaneously, whites were stealing land that belonged to Shona and Ndebele. This was occurring around 1960 and caused much protest.

Mugabe was a speaker at the Salisbury's Harare Town Hall protest. Many leaders of opposition movements have been arrested  Mugabe later became public secretary of the National Democratic Party. Robert Mugabe joined the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU).  Mugabe after having disagreements with the leadership left the organization. He relocated to Tanzania and then joined the Zimbabwe African  National Union (ZANU). This was in 1964 and Robert Mugabe came to the conclusion that freedom could only be achieved  through armed struggle. ZANU launched a guerrilla war against white minority rule. This became known as the Rhodesian Bush War The white minority used as much violence as possible to maintain control of Zimbabwe. The Ian Smith regime had by 1965 declared the Universal Declaration of Independence. Rhodesia as it was called was no longer a British territory, but a sovereign state. This gave the regime the power to wage war against the black population. 

This was the common system of abuse and torture during the Ian Smith regime.

  

Mugabe was arrested and kept as a political prisoner. Mugabe remained in prison for a decade, being detained at Hawatha Prison, then being transferred to Simkombela Detention Center. Mugabe was released in 1974 from Salisbury Prison. Now was the time to exert more pressure on the Ian Smith regime. Sanctions were weakening the economy and white minority rule was being challenged in neighboring states such as Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, and Namibia. Ian Smith had no intent on relinquishing power, but made attempts at negotiation. The only reason he did this was to reform the image of Rhodesia and possibly get sanctions lifted. Robert Mugabe assembled a guerrilla force in Northern Rhodesia. A military victory was not possible for the white minority regime. It was inevitable that oppression could not survive. 

          Independence was granted in 1980 and black majority rule was instated. Negotiations were intense. Previously, there was a referendum that did accept black majority rule in 1979.  At firs this short lived union was referred to as Rhodesia-Zimbabwe. Bishop Muzorewa's leadership was weak, unable to address critical issues. The Common Wealth Heads of Government meeting gathered in Lusaka to address the issues of independence, constitutional reform, and the problem of white minority rule. Margret Thatcher was pressured by Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda, Micheal Manely, and Malcolm Fraser to hold a constitutional conference in London. Although Robert Mugabe was having major disagreements with Joshua Nkomo. Joshua Nkomo was the leader of the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU). Nkomo had become Mugabe's rival in the struggle for liberation. Yet, what became known as the Lancaster House Agreement was a success for both Mugabe and Nkomo. Robert Mugabe did not agree with all the conditions and terms of the agreement. One problem is that twenty seats would be reserved for whites in parliament. To have seats reserved without election was nothing more than an attempt to salvage the remains of white supremacy. Resistance fighters were already observing the cease-fire. ZANU-PF did not just that the whites would observe it and the armed wing ZANLA continued the fight. Mugabe and Nkomo would return to Zimbabwe in January of 1980 ready to be leaders of the nation. Elections were to be held. For five days after February 27,  Zimbabweans voted for the first time. Mugabe won over his rivals. ZANU-PF won 57 seats in parliament. Robert Mugabe made it clear there was no intention to seek vengeance on the white minority or political rivals. He stated " we will ensure there is a place for everyone in this country."  

The two political rivals that would eventually collaborate with each other Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo.

Mugabe was now prime minister, but faced a country that was divided and dealing with pressure from Apartheid South Africa. The Apartheid regime supplied $300,000,000 to the Rhodesian Army to maintain white minority rule. Even after the elections, South Africa started a campaign of destabilization against the newly independent state. Robert Mugabe wanted Joshua Nkomo to be president of the newly formed government. Nkomo refused, convinced that the position did not have real political power. This was the precursor to major internal strife in the 1980s. 

        As prime minister Robert Mugabe had some successes. Zimbabwe joined the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC). This allowed Zimbabwe to be less dependent on South Africa and challenge its Constellation of Southern African States (CONSAS). While their were successes in education and an increase in life expectancy of the population Zimbabwe almost fell into civil war. The Dissent's War (1982- 1987) was a conflict between ZANU and ZAPU for political control of Zimbabwe. Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo would reconcile and Nkomo would once more join the government. What the internal disorder represented was a dive between the Shona and the Ndebele ethnic groups. This ethnic tension has been a problem that President Mugabe was unable to solve. Fearful that the country could collapse, the constitution was formulated for a one-party state structure. Zimbabwe modeled that off of Tanzania. One-party states were formed for the sake of unity and order. Multiparty politics could have lead to political factionalism, civil war, or general insurrection. There was no time for disagreement when problems such as colonialism, lack of  economic development, and war were present. As the 1990s approached the economy was in dire need of repair. Robert launched the five year plan to revitalize the Zimbabwean economy. Although a socialist, he started to adopt  free market reform policies. These had negative consequences  by the 2000s. There were some positive results in Zimbabwe with the reforms between 1989 and 1994. There was growth in farming, mining, and manufacturing industries. Schools and medical clinics were built  across the country. Free market reforms only provided temporary relief  and as a result inflation would increase.Zimbabwe was falling into economic ruin, mainly because socialist policies were abandoned. However, Mugabe was not about to surrender land reform. Properties  belonging to the white minority were seized in 1996. To Zimbabweans who were in poverty this was an opportunity to regain what was stolen from them.  

The relations between the US and Zimbabwe were never cordial. During the Reagan administration  the policy of constructive engagement protected the Aparthied regime. Through the Bush  and Clinton years there was hope for improvement, but ended in 2003 when the US imposed sanctions. 

        

Robert Mugabe had followed a policy of  reconciliation with the white minority. He never relinquished his support for anti-colonial liberation struggle. This was a policy that Mugabe continues to follow, but caused a backlash from the West. 

     Robert Mugabe had set a policy of Zimbabwe being non-aligned. He supported leaders that the West were either attempting to overthrow or isolate internationally. This element of Robert Mugabe's foreign policy became more pronounced when diplomatic relations  with the UK and the US declined. This decline in diplomatic relations was the demand for compensation from the UK in regards to land theft in the 1960s. Relations with the US became complicated, when the US objected to what it believed was not a free or fair election in 2002. The EU was the first to impose sanctions, followed by the US in 2003. Besides economic sanctions, arms embargoes were also imposed. Robert Mugabe also embraced leaders who were opposed to US foreign policy. Hugo Chavez and Muammar Qaddafi were leaders that Mugabe believed should not be demonized. Seeing as the United States was attempting to mold Mugabe into a pariah, he reached out to other nations around the world. Zimbabwe still maintains relations with Russia even during the Ukraine crisis. Mugabe has better relations with Latin American countries, who faced similar problems of imperialism. Robert Mugabe seems to be willing to make concessions and collaborate with various nations and people. The US embassy is still open in Harare, even though the US has imposed sanctions. Zimbabwe poses no military or economic threat to the United Sates, yet the country is being punished. President Mugabe has sated that the real objective is to induce regime change. This does not seem like such unusual idea, when examining the history of US military intervention. Mugabe has expressed that he opposes NATO or any other form of   military intervention by the US-EU block. Robert Mugabe supports the Palestinian cause for liberation. Besides that Mugabe also has close relations with the People's Republic of China. China has been in many was protecting Zimbabwe from the aftershock of sanctions. 

The diplomatic missions of Zimbabwe 

Zimbabwe has been struggling economically since 2008. There were signs of stabilization happening in 2009. To counter this Robert Mugabe set out to build a stronger alliance with China. The ZIMASSET plan  not only called for economic cooperation, but political support. Economic support will cover railways, telecommunications, energy, water, mining, agriculture, and tourism. This has made Zimbabwe a target, due to the fact the US wants to stop Chinese investment in the African continent. While Mugabe moved his country closer to China, he still continued to pursue land reform. He authorized land seizures from white farmers. These farms were not purchased legitimately, but were stolen from Zimbabweans in the 1960s. Robert Mugabe demanded that Britain pay compensation for these losses of property. Relations been the UK and Zimbabwe reached a nadir. Zimbabwe even made it clear that British land would be taken, if reparations were not paid. Ever since 2000, Zimbabwe has been taking back land that was once stolen. 

      Robert Mugabe has worked with political rivals. The 2008 election was close and a run off election followed. Observers claimed there was electoral fraud. The issue was resolved by a power sharing dealing. Morgan Tsvangirai  of the Movement for Democracy Party was Mugabe's challenger. Violence broke out between ZANU-PF and MDC supporters. This almost seem to parallel the Dissent's War. The unity government failed to confront national debt, unemployment, and public health issues such as AIDS. The US and UK wanted Tsvangirai  to win, because it was believed that he would be compliant with their policies in Africa. The unity government did not provide stability or contribute to people's needs. The 2013 elections resulted in Mugabe getting 61% of the vote. Morgan Tsvangirai claimed that there was widespread electoral fraud. However, African Union observers declared the election free and fair. Mugabe received congratulations on his presidential victory from numerous African leaders. 

The power sharing deal kept temporary calm in Zimbabwe. 

It appears that a majority of the population favor ZANU-PF and Mugabe. He still has much respect on the African continent, because of his contributions to anti-colonial struggle. Robert Mugabe comes from a generation of African leaders, who wanted to see their nations gain full sovereignty. These liberation fighters wanted to see their countries free and not be in a subordinate position. Western observers criticize Mugabe's government as being corrupt and authoritarian. While there are cases of abuses, other African leaders are worse. Omar Al-Bashir, Idris Deby, and Yoweri Museveni are stern autocrats and the suggestion of unity governments would not happen in their countries. Mugabe was willing to experiment with a power sharing deal. Robert Mugabe has even stated that Zimbabwe has a corruption problem and compared it to Nigeria. A large bureaucracy contaminated with a system of patronage makes corruption grow. The unity government with the MDC demonstrates that Robert Mugabe is not as authoritarian as he is thought to be.  

      Robert Mugabe is now 91 years of age and has no clear successor. The removal of Joyce Mujuru represents a clear development of political factionalism within ZANU-PF. It has been theorized by analysts that a post-Mugabe Zimbabwe could fall victim to a military coup, civil war, or a return to Western domination. The targeting of Joyce Mujuru could be a plot by Grace Mugabe, who probably has her eyes set on the presidency. Mugabe's wife is concerned about her future when President Mugabe no longer holds office. The possibility of being imprisoned, exiled, or executed could happen to Grace Mugabe. That is why she turned against Mujuru. For now, the country faces threats from the West with sanctions and a desire for regime change. The economic situation could worsen, seeing as China is currently facing a downturn. This will effect countries in Africa who are economically close to China. Robert Mugabe realized he made a mistake by embracing free market reforms. There is an attempt to revive some of the socialist policies of ZANU-PF. At first Robert Mugabe was pursuing a policy of reconciliation with the white minority in Zimbabwe. This was a major error and many still want to maintain white supremacy and all the resources. Land seizures were a way to rectify injustices of the past and initiate a policy of land reform. This only created hostility from the US and UK who want to gain access to Zimbabwe's natural resources and internal market. Robert Mugabe is now serving as head of the African Union  and the political situation has changed. The US-UK block is more unpopular now than ever and a skilled politician is challenging their geopolitical designs. President Mugabe is one of the few leaders on the continent that still believes in Pan-Africanism. This is a terrifying though for the West, because a united Africa could challenge neo-colonial domination. Mugabe's legacy will certainly be remembered as one that confronted Western belligerence.    

   

References 

Arnold, Guy. Africa A Modern History. London :Atlantic Books,2005. 

Appiah, Anthony, and Henry Louis Gates. "Robert Mugabe." Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. New York: Basic Civitas, 1999. 1357-58.

DZIRUTWE, MACDONALD. "Mugabe Banks on China for Zimbabwe's Economic Revival." Reuters UK. N.p., 25 Aug. 2015. Web. 26 Oct. 2015. <http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/08/25/uk-zimbabwe-politics-mugabe-idUKKCN0QU23H20150825>.

Biography.com Editors. "Robert Mugabe." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 6 Oct. 2011. Web. 28 Oct. 2015. <http://www.biography.com/people/robert-mugabe-9417391>.

        

      

Tanzania Election: 7 ministers from ruling party lose Parliamentary seats

Tanzanians went to the polls for parliamentary elections. November will be the period in which presidential elections occur in the country. Seven ministers  of  Chama Cha Mapinduzi  Party already lost their seats. The reason this is significant is that a political party cannot rest on its laurels. The CCM is the longest ruling party on the African continent. It once was more socialist in ideology, but abandoned those beliefs in favor of  capitalist reforms. This shift did not provide for the people of the nation and it appears they will pay for it at the ballot box. Observer missions claim the process has thus so far been free of irregularities. This should be a reminder to liberation parties that are still in power. If you want to remain in power you must continually change and provide for the citizens. What ever the election result will be Tanzania is clearly going through a political transformation.   

Remembering A Great Leader

It was October 20th that Muammar Qaddafi was assassinated in Sirte. The NATO campaign and invasion had destroyed what took 42 years to build up. The UN authorized aggressive war through resolution 1973 and Libya suffered constant bombing. The question was why? Qaddafi had been a target of western imperialism as far back as the 1970s. He nationalized the oil companies and made OPEC a force to be reckoned with. When he nationalized the oil companies, his government increased the price. OPEC at that time "got its teeth." Qaddafi used the revenues to improve healthcare, the educational system, and  build infrastructure. He was a supporter of national liberation movements around the world.This included the ANC, SWAPO, and the PLO. To the global south he was a liberator, but to the West he was a menace. Freedom will never come from invasion. Currently, the West uses the mask of human rights to justify military conquest. Leaders who refuse to submit to domination of European nations are condemned. They are made to be a threat, when most of the belligerence has come from the US-EU block. While many states have achieved political independence, the struggle for economic freedom continues. Qaddafi realized this and had intent to launch the African Investment Bank. The African dinar would become the equivalent of the Euro, freeing Africa from economic dependence. This plan was cut short by western attack. Here is a photographic record of his career and life. While the mass media distorts current events, history cannot be changed. Muammar Qaddafi's sacrifice and courage  have earned him a place among the great men of history. has already  Although Qaddafi was killed, his actions and ideas will continue to inspire people dedicated to global south resistance.  

Albert Einstein on Education

Million Man March 20th Anniversary, JUSTICE OR ELSE, Washington D.C.

Twenty years after the first Million Man March, African Americans continue to face persecution. Police brutality, poverty, and racist violence are common elements of American society. Now is not the time to be passive. The US never wanted justice, equality, or freedom for anyone. The yoke of white supremacy has poisoned the society. Confrontation not compromise, is the only option for a nation that oppresses its non-white citizens and seeks to dominate the globe. 

What Xi Jinping's Visit Reveals About the State of Sino-US Relations

When Xi Jinping visited the US, it is clear that their was more disagreement than consensus. Relations between the US and China continue to be strained. Hacking, the Asia Pivot policy, US encirclement, and a more assertive China are major sources of contention. Economic and business ties are the only element keeping The US  and China relationship together. Relations are further complicated by America's silence on Japanese militarization. The United States does not want another world  power of equal strength to emerge. China will eventually be targeted and remolded as a threat. While this is an exaggeration, many in the US military establishment are promoting this concept. It is possible that the US is preparing for a Cold War or direct confrontation with the People's Republic. The only way this horrendous scenario can be avoided is through sensible diplomacy. The US must abandon imperialist ventures in the Asia-Pacific region. Encirclement as a policy must end and it must be accepted that China is a world power. The United States must facilitate positive relations with China and Japan to reduce tension. This is the only way peace and stability can be maintained in the Asia-Pacific region.
      The only consensus reached between the two nations was that hacking of government and business records must stop. It has been alleged that China has hacked into US data. Cyber security is a major concern for both powers. The US has been accused of using the NSA to spy globally. China would be the subject of interest.

The reason China would hack into US government data is because it does not trust the United States. The motivation for collecting data on US business is designed for corporate espionage. China's corporations want to have an edge over US companies. This has been counter productive. Instead China wants to collaborate with the US on cyber security. After the exposure of mass surveillance by Eric Snowden, the US wants to repair its image. With the rise of the internet governments have access to more information than ever. This allows spying to be done simply by means of hacking. This  still puts all agencies at risk, if data is not secure. It causes a problem for China, when it attempts to do business with tech industries. Before meeting President Obama, President Xi met with numerous representatives of  the information technology industry. China seems interested in opening up and having long term business relationships with these companies. The only way this can happen is if both countries make a commitment to stop hacking and spying. This process will take time, but it was the only discussion point the two leaders agreed on. 

      The Obama administration has developed a central foreign policy known as the Asia pivot. This means the United States will increase its military and economic presence in Asia and the Pacific Ocean region. China has become a major economic and political power in the world. The US does not want to have multipolarity  on the international stage. Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US has shrived to be the sole superpower and global hegemon. Neoconservative foreign policy once believed to  be fringe, has become mainstream in both Democratic and Republican administrations. Xi Jinping's visit symbolized that the world does not revolve around the United States. China must be respected like any other country  and the attitude of more powerful counties must change. Just because a nation is more powerful, it does not give it the right to impose its will on others. President Xi Jinping sees the Asia pivot as some form of threat. The US views it as a vital geopolitical interest. The interest of the US has a negative motivation. It requires dominance on all continents, but more specifically the Eurasian landmass. China would be in a vulnerable position if it did not hold a significant portion of US debt. There is more economic dependence between the the US and China in terms of manufacturing sectors. The US is forming stronger alliances with Vietnam, the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan. The alliances with Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines were formed during the Cold War as part of a containment policy against communism. 

These alliances are being reinvigorated not against a threat, but general containment directed against China. The US has a multitude of naval bases, air bases,  and active military bases present in the West Pacific. There are instances in which China has been less neighborly with other countries in the region. Vietnam and China have through out Asian history were in conflict. This matter is further complicated by the tension between Cambodia and Vietnam. This tension is left over hostilities from the Cold War. This is a major obstacle to regional peace and stability. The only solution is a Pan-Asian framework. Asian nations must cooperate politically and economically to ensure the Asia pivot  does not become a mask for re-colonization. 

        It cannot be ignored that China seems to be encircled. Observers claim that the US presence in the Asia- Pacific region  is the only presence in Asia. This is not the case when examining military bases in Central Asia. The US lost one in Uzbekistan, after it condemned the Adijan Massacre. 

Xi Jinping realizes that the western border of the country has US military bases facing it. This is a security risk in many ways. If war between the US and China were to break out, they would have no problem striking the country from the west and east. Another consideration is that it makes the western half of the country a target for terrorism. Terrorists who want to attack bases in Central Asia could take refuge in Xinjiang province. This could put China in a Pakistan scenario in which the US and NATO bomb targets to prevent extremists from establishing safe havens. The US can use the excuse that it is stopping terrorism as a cover to encircle China.  The US and China are both concerned about terrorism, but the US is shifting emphasis. Slowly, the US is moving its military might to East Asia, rather than West Asia .President Obama has made it clear that encirclement is official policy. The deployment of more troops to Australia is more of a threatening gesture. Encirclement and the Asia pivot policy have deteriorated Sino-US relations. 

       Another developing source of contention is the movement for Japanese re-militarization. Prime Minister  Shinzo Abe  wants the Japanese Army to take a larger role in international peace keeping. There is an ulterior motive. Japan wants to be the top regional power in Asia once more. China current occupies more of the regional leadership role. Ethnic hatreds and prejudice are fueling this drive for military build up in Japan. China and Japan still in many respects have not reconciled their World War II past. Japan fells both hate and fear from a powerful China and their ally North Korea. This is having a negative effect on domestic policy in Japan. The pacifist constitution  could  be dismantled to accommodate a new far-right militarism. Although Japanese citizens have been the victims of terrorism overseas, their deaths are being used to justify re-militarization. The Japanese Self Defense Force was to designed to respond to immediate threats. China maybe showing more assertion in the region, but it has no intent on invading its neighbors. The South China Sea disputes must be negotiated through a forum under the auspices of ASEAN.  This dispute between China and Japan must be solved diplomatically or western powers will use it to advance their own agendas in Asia. The US has been silent on Japan's re-militarization. They could be encouraging it secretly as a method to counter balance China's military growth. Chinese military growth is not directed at Japan, but America's Asia pivot policy in the region. Japan may become a pawn in the chess board of America's East Asian foreign policy. 

         The meeting between President Obama and President Jinping  represents a nadir in Sino-US relations. They seem to be reverting to a Cold War era situation. China does have a right to be suspicious of US intentions. During the 20th century, the US attempted to destabilize China in Tibet, and armed the Yunnan Anti-Communist Army in Burma. China was actively opposing US interventions in Korea and Indochina. Many Asians felt that US interventions were not about fighting communism, but were to maintain imperialism. China may view current US actions as a similar attempt. This could explain changes in behavior in regards to military growth. An arms race between Asian nations and the US could cause even more instability. The United States must understand that other nations demand respect and it cannot impose its will on each one. China has become an important world power. Trying to suppress or pressure the country will be counterproductive. The US and China must collaborate on economic and political issues. If they do not the chances of mass global conflict will increase.          

  

  

Russia Will Conduct Air strikes in Syria

Russia is not engaging in direct combat, but supplying President Assad assistance. The Islamic State has been gaining more territory in Iraq and Syria, The US has done air strikes in both Iraq and Syria, but has not defeated the insurgency. Israel on multiple occasions has launched strikes of its own. The official policy of the US was to see Assad deposed or murdered. Now, the policy has to be adjusted due to the military situation. The statement from Secretary of State John Kerry was " we want to see a smooth transition of power." The reality is that the might of Assad's army is needed to stop further advancements of ISIS. This will also require Hezbollah and the Peshmerga to be collaborators.Upon further investigation this looks like a general colonial scramble for a geographic region. The US and EU block seem to be waging a war of proxy against Russia in the Middle East. Where ever these series of events leads, it is obvious there is no military solution to the crisis.