NewsDay (Zimbabwe)

ED creating problems he can hardly solve

- Precious Shumba

HOW does Sadc and the Africa Union resolve African challenges? What is the role of Europe, America, China and Russia, India in African issues? As long as academics, developmen­t practition­ers, political and human rights activists refuse to objectivel­y engage these issues, they will always be so near yet so far. African politics is not moved by social media likes and tweets. It only gives activists the feel-good attitude.

At this stage, there is nothing substantia­l to warrant excitement among the opposition and civil society organisati­ons.

The African institutio­ns give solidarity to each other through issuing vague diplomatic statements.

By 2023, Zanu PF will be telling the world about sanctions, Western interferen­ce in Zimbabwe’s internal affairs, sabotage by business and regime change agents by civic society organisati­ons and journalist­s.

The difference with the late former President Robert Mugabe is that he had a more articulate spokespero­sn than President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has to depend on Informatio­n permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana, who struggles to stamp his presence in his communicat­ion. He is flat, uninspirin­g and arrogant.

As Zimbabwean­s, let us unpack the last two audit reports by Auditor-General Mildred Chiri, the Parliament­ary Portfolio Committee reports, the Land Audit report, the Zesa Holdings audit findings and the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission report findings.

By 2023, we should not be shocked when Zanu PF romps to victory without any of the demanded reforms being implemente­d. Devolution remains unimplemen­ted.

Focusing too much on the involvemen­t of the internatio­nal community in the affairs of Zimbabwe only strengthen­s internatio­nal non-government­al organisati­ons, opposition activists and other opportunis­ts. However, the locals determine the ultimate solution to Zimbabwe’s situation.

To really confront the social inequaliti­es in our midst, we must first take all our time to confront our State institutio­ns on the implementa­tion of findings from several investigat­ions and reports in the public domain. Corruption in our local authoritie­s needs to be tackled in equal measure with the corruption at national level.

Sadc, the AU, United Nations and other internatio­nal platforms will give Zimbabwean­s in the opposition heartbreak­s. The solution is within and among us.

Let us minimise seeking exogenous solutions. Political and business elites benefit more from these internatio­nal ventures, not ordinary Zimbabwean­s.

 ??  ?? President Emmerson Mnangagwa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa

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