Zimbabwe - is it the beginning of the end for Mugabe?

johnfás wrote:We need to worry about military dictatorship in Zimbabwe at the moment.

Why? Would a military dictatorship wouldn't make all that much difference?

johnfás wrote:One must ask the question as to whether Mugabe would actually have the ability to enforce any agreement he signs.

Probably not. At 84, he's more than likely just a figurehead. He probably has a few former allies waiting in the long grass for him now. One is former Minister of Justice Emmerson Mnangagwa who lost his seat in the 2005 elections but regained it in March. Mnangagwa also formerly headed Mugabe's joint security staff and was tipped as his successor but had been steadily demoted since 2000 because of his presidential ambitions. Last year he was linked with an unsuccessful coup attempt.

Another is Solomon Mujuru, former Zimbabwe Chief of Staff. Reputed to be a kingmaker in Zimbabwe although he is thought to be under house arrest at the moment. He is married to Joyce Mujuru who is or was one of Zimbabwe's Vice Presidents until earlier this year. Solomon is responsible in part for cutting Mnangagwa's cabbage.

Lestat wrote:

johnfás wrote:We need to worry about military dictatorship in Zimbabwe at the moment.

Why? Would a military dictatorship wouldn't make all that much difference?

It would mean that it was not the step forward that people were hoping. It would also renew the woes of the country for another generation. If the army takes over, there will be a further entrenchment of totalitarianism, at least in the medium term.

Lestat wrote:

johnfás wrote:We need to worry about military dictatorship in Zimbabwe at the moment.

Why? Would a military dictatorship wouldn't make all that much difference?

johnfás wrote:One must ask the question as to whether Mugabe would actually have the ability to enforce any agreement he signs.

Probably not. At 84, he's more than likely just a figurehead. He probably has a few former allies waiting in the long grass for him now. One is former Minister of Justice Emmerson Mnangagwa who lost his seat in the 2005 elections but regained it in March. Mnangagwa also formerly headed Mugabe's joint security staff and was tipped as his successor but had been steadily demoted since 2000 because of his presidential ambitions. Last year he was linked with an unsuccessful coup attempt.

Another is Solomon Mujuru, former Zimbabwe Chief of Staff. Reputed to be a kingmaker in Zimbabwe although he is thought to be under house arrest at the moment. He is married to Joyce Mujuru who is or was one of Zimbabwe's Vice Presidents until earlier this year. Solomon is responsible in part for cutting Mnangagwa's cabbage.

For some strange reason this is putting the FF cabinet into my mind.

There has only been black rule in Zimbabwe since the end of the 1970s. It must be one of the youngest States in Africa.

cactus flower wrote:There has only been black rule in Zimbabwe since the end of the 1970s. It must be one of the youngest States in Africa.

South Africa is the newest if you count independence as dating from the end of apartheid (1994). The Rep of South Africa broke with the British Commonwealth in 1961. Eritrea is next- 1993, then Namibia- 1990 and Zimbabwe in fourth place in 1980.

johnfás wrote: It would mean that it was not the step forward that people were hoping. It would also renew the woes of the country for another generation. If the army takes over, there will be a further entrenchment of totalitarianism, at least in the medium term.

More of the same then.

There seems to be complete collapse of the old and new currencies in Zimbabwe and they are going to use coinage and petrol vouchers, according to Breaking News today.