What can be done to restore stability and democracy to Zimbabwe?
Being South African and acknowledging the very different culture of Southern Africans I see the problem quite differently. First of all applying pressure on Mugabe (via Mbeki) has so far no yielded much results and therefore I think will not evolve any further. Mbeki is loyal to Mugabe's 'emancipatory' principles and according to African culture, elders (Mugabe is the oldest of all the Southern African leaders) are to be respected without much question. We cannot discount this fact and to tell Mbeki how to behave will be seen as patronising and oppressive even. To change the discourse of Africans is not for the West to command. It does more harm, given the Colonial past. Furthermore, rumours have been going round that the 2 M's are related through marriage. I do not know if this is true, but if so, then it further makes dictating to them seem unhelpful.
So what can the West do? I don't think much, besides stating their position as up to now. We simply have to rely on those Africans that do recognise the dire situation. We can empower them with the resources they need to engage with the Zim situation. We can only offer our help in the way they want it. We cannot dictate any more, this is what got Zim in the mess it is today.
On the short term we can help those Zimbabweans living outside their country. We can use our resources so that they won't deplete the resources of the already struggling Southern neighbours. We can mediate between the refugees and Southern host leaders and so empower them to solve the problems facing their country. Zimbabweans know what Zimbabwe needs and how to achieve that.
We can learn from the mistakes of the Colonial West. We can learn from greed and from corruption. We can teach our descendants the importance of compassion and responsibility for others. We can look at our own lives and act with humility to our fellow human beings.
Charles, London, United Kingdom
Given the ability of Mugabe to exert control over the Electoral Commission and given the MDC's claim that Tsvangirai gained a fraction more than 50% of the vote, the "official" results are likely to be disputed by the two sides for at least as long as those in Kenya late last year, unless international and regional leaders keep a strong eye on the conduct of the next phase of the election process.
International scrutiny of a run-off, which the MDC says it will accept, and which Mugabe would find it hard to convince international opinion he had polled enough to avoid, is best led by Zimbabwe's neighbours, notably South Africa.
Other international leaders should pressurise President Mbeki not to bottle this scrutiny, and to speak out against Mugabe were there to be evidence of irregularities.
Whoever wins, Zimbabwe needs a clear and legitimate result which the whole nation can accept and build on in order to reverse its tragic decline.
phil, Scotland
Given that the 29 March election cannot be a legitimate expression of the will of the zimbabwean people, urgent and sustained efforts must be made (by the international community in conjunction with and in support of national initiatives) in the post 29 March period to demand, encourage and assist a process of transition which must have among its most urgent objectives the creation of adequate conditions for a legitimate election, so that Zimbabwe may begin the process of return to democratic and accountable government.
Anonymous, Zimbabwe
A change in Government, a new constitution that represents the genuine will of the people, restoration of a free press and media, a massive interationally-supported economic revival plan with currency reform as the first macro-economic step, a truth and reconciliation process to cover all abuses since 1980 (especially those in Matebeleland), an apology for inaction followed by unequivocal support for this process from Zimbabwe's neighbours
Richard, United Kingdom
People in Zimbabwe keep thinking that the situation has hit rock bottom, and then it gets even worse. There has to be a point beyond which the Zimbabwean people and the international community is not prepared to let things sink. Zimbabwe's future is ultimately in the hands of Zimbabwe's people, but those of us outside the country can help by making it clear that we are watching. We should do whatever we can to keep this struggle in the spotlight.
Anonymous, United Kingdom
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