Since the turn of this century, Zimbabwe has taken a vicious spiral towards political chaos and economic decline. That a democratically elected government, of its own volition, decides to adopt policies which are bound to lead the country it governs into an economic abyss is a matter that concerns but itself and that country?s population. Outsiders, including concerned international institutions, can but watch and occasionally ring the danger bells and issue negative assessments. Under such circumstances, the people would, if the burden is too heavy and unbearable, spill out into the streets and either bring the government down or force it into changing its policies with a view to alleviating their sufferings. Alternatively, they can wait till the next electoral bout and fire the government through the ballot box. The situation in Zimbabwe, however, is more complex and, over the years, has assumed dramatic proportions affecting fundamental human rights. Despite countless reports decrying the daily worsening situation, the international community has failed to assume its responsibility and, in fact, allowed, if not driven, the country to slide further towards chaos practically to a point of no return.

This week has witnessed a timid awakening from a hitherto anaesthetised international community following the latest in a series of unacceptable actions against the Opposition. Last weekend, the contender Morgan Tsvangirai judiciously announced his withdrawal from the runoff presidential elections scheduled for 27 June, much to the glee of President Mugabe. Apparently, the last straw that led to this decision was the unleashing of a ZANU PF violent mob (the President?s party) against the opposition MDC supporters who had been called to a rally in Harare. Over the past weeks, some seventy deaths of opposition officials/supporters have been registered. The Opposition has, moreover, been denied access to public media including national television. (Incidentally, does not this sound kind of familiar with the policy of our own national Manipulated Broadcasting Corporation?the MBC?). To crown it all, President Mugabe threatened civil war should the Opposition be declared the winner. In the face of such untoward behaviour and the uncertainty of the transparency and fairness of the upcoming elections, one cannot hold it against Tsvangirai for deciding not to run. The country?s Electoral Commission has decreed that the polls will go ahead nonetheless this Friday. The UN Security Council has woken from its torpor this week to pass a resolution condemning the situation in Zimbabwe and calling for the cancellation of the runoff election this Friday. Incidentally, the resolution has been passed unanimously, that is, including the votes of China, South Africa and Libya which had resisted any ?internationalisation? of the issue!! The UN Secretary-general?s responses to media questions just before the Security Council went into session on Zimbabwe were rather padded and bereft of strength.

This week the African Union will again congregate in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt for its six-monthly Summit to discuss matters of interest and consequence to the continent. The Agenda does have an item relating to the state of peace and security in the continent. But as in the past and if at all, there will most likely be a feeble call for Zimbabwe to favour dialogue and ensure a peaceful resolution of the present problem. SADC has failed, on its part, to live up to its responsibility. Individual voices from its membership have been raised including those of Zambia and lately Angola. Mauritius has remained blatantly absent from this dossier and yet, we do have a stake in the Zimbabwean issue. There are Mauritian farm owners who are in danger of their lives and livelihood in that country and the stability of the region is at play. The voice of Mauritius has not been heard so far. The only thing the prime minister said in Parliament recently, in answer to a Parliamentary Question as to whether he had raised the issue of Zimbabwe with the SADC leadership, including President Mbeki of South Africa who is mandated to mediate in the imbroglio, was that he believed Tsvangirai should be in his country campaigning! (The latter had stayed away from Zimbabwe for about six weeks for fear of his life). The latest news at the time of writing is that the Leader of the Zimbabwe Opposition has sought refuge in the Embassy of the Netherlands in Harare!

The state of affairs in Zimbabwe is truly an indictment on the international community but more so, on SADC and the African Union. Despite all the instruments at their disposal ? Conventions on Democracy, the electoral process, the Constitutive Act, etc ? nothing is likely to happen. There is this uncanny and unspoken sort of convention among the African Heads of State, that solidarity, whatever the circumstances and consequences, with their Peers, need to prime and be displayed. And yet, with some courage of conviction, and commitment to their own collective decisions as encapsulated in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, they could have resolved this issue to the relief of the people of Zimbabwe. The international community (read the West), on the other hand, has a lot to answer for in the way it has handled this issue right from the beginning. Its stand from Day One has been that things can only be resolved in Zimbabwe with the removal of Robert Mugabe. They are now stuck with that formula which the wily old leader is using to his advantage?that the Opposition is Western world, therefore, white-propelled. The sanctions slapped on President Mugabe and his team have yielded no result. The European Union, notwithstanding the position of the UK, had to accept his participation in the December last Lisbon Africa-EU Summit. He was present in Rome for the recent Food Summit as he has been regularly, at the yearly UN General Assembly meetings!

The fact is that President Mugabe is a stalwart of African politics and is considered an icon, especially in Southern Africa, for the unrelenting support he provided to many a liberation struggle. To that extent, whatever solution is envisaged for Zimbabwe has to be built on that parameter.

The world will be watching to see if Africa can rise up to the challenge at the Sharm El Sheikh meetings. (It is hoped that Mauritius will be there at the level desired and take position on the matter). Otherwise, Zimbabwe will slide further on the road to perdition unless, as President Mugabe himself has said, God takes a stand!

<B>By Vijay MAKHAN</B>