The World and I

The last week has resulted in a massive turnaround with regards to world attitude towards Zimbabwe. It started with Tsvangerai removing himself from the election, which was a brilliant move to get the world media interested in Zimbabwe. There were emergency meetings of the Security Council, condemnation of Mugabe by various countries, who also threatened that if the election were to proceed, they would not recognise the result; however, most importantly, Zimbabwe finally got the media and political attention required to perhaps get other world leaders more involved in the situation.

Unfortunately, those leaders that really need to be involved and that really can make a difference are hesitant to do so - these are the African leaders, especially from Zimbabwe's neighbouring countries. So what is holding them back? Firstly, in terms of South Africa and President Mbeki, who has been nominated a mediator between Zimbabwe and the World, there are still historical ties and sentiments. During apartheid; Mugabe came to the aid of the ANC and therefore Mbeki is very reluctant to now retract his support for the dictator. Furthermore, Mugabe's policies were built very much on an anti-colonial sentiment, i.e. taking away what belongs to us and giving it back to the African people. Whilst this rings nicely in many ears, it has resulted in exacerbating the already imminent economic catastrophe in Zimbabwe with inflation soaring to never before experienced levels. 

The Security Council and various individual countries have made statements threatening sanctions (or in those cases where sanctions already exist, have threatened to tighten sanctions). However, after hearing an interview with the Kenyan Foreign Minister on CNN this morning, the African Union, in particular is not thrilled about the prospects of sanctions on a country where poverty is so rife, where food is unavailable - since lets be honest, a couple of sanctions here and there are not going to hurt him, it is only going to hurt the already desperate Zimbabwean people.

Now more than ever it is obvious that something has to be done - but the question is what with Mbeki reluctant to act, sanctions threatening to exacerbate already rampant poverty, Mugabe expelling foreign aid workers...what can be done?