False Hope for Zimbabwe

If Morgan Tsvangirai's capitulation to Robert Mugabe augured well for a revival of the decimated Zimbabwean economy and a reduction of the factional violence gripping the country then his decision to share power with his arch-nemesis could be easily accepted as the selfless action of a true statesman. But it doesn't. If Prime Minister Tsvangirai thinks that 'President' Mugabe will allow him to govern effectively then, at best, he is a hopeless optimist and, at worst, a deluded Charlie Brown-figure to Mugabe's Lucy. Mr Mugabe's pitifully-concealed attempt to rig the mid-2008 presidential election - inciting and overseeing violence and brutality against MDC voters until their leader had the good sense to withdraw - demonstrates powerfully his intent to remain in power at all costs. It was only a few years ago when a visibly bruised and battered Tsvangirai was being ruthlessly persecuted by Mugabe's regime and only a few months ago when his supporters were being terrorised by 'The Dear Old Man's' Zanu-PF thugs. Mugabe was condemned across the world for his reprehensible behaviour but despite the indignation of the West - and in a striking example of the toothlessness and futility of international law - his grip on power remains absolute. Britain's Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, described Mugabe's rule as "Sadism" in June 2008 and stated, quite unequivocally, that "the Mugabe regime is not a legitimate representation of the will of the people of Zimbabwe". Yet he has now been persuaded to remark that "Morgan Tsvangirai's appointment offers the possibility of a change for the better". Surely he understands that in supporting Tsvangirai's accession under an illegitimate president he undermines the force of his scathing comments about Mugabe? And surely he understands that Tsvangirai cannot possibly deliver change to Zimbabwe whilst the key ministries are in the hands of Zanu-PF and the economy is being crippled by UN sanctions (which, quite rightly, will not be lifted until Mugabe is out of the picture). Tsvangirai's acceptance of the Prime Ministership and the West's acquiescence to his doing so represents at least a tacit acceptance of Mugabe's legitimacy. With this acceptance disappears the solitary piece of authority Tsvangirai's cause had: moral authority.