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Takunda Maodza Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S election as Sadc deputy chair dealt a fatal blow to Western efforts to alienate the country and reaffirms the regional bloc’s confidence in President Mugabe’s leadership, political observers have said.The country scored a major diplomatic victory on Sunday when President Mugabe was elected Sadc deputy chairperson during the 33rd Ordinary Summit of Sadc Heads of State and Government in Lilongwe, Malawi.
He deputises President Joyce Banda of Malawi.
The West, led by the US and Britain, had over the years tried to coerce Sadc to take a negative stance on Zimbabwe and this was beginning to create fissures within the regional bloc.
“It is a major breakthrough against the background of the politics of the last 14 years where certain Western countries wanted to alienate the President and Zanu-PF from the population, nationally, regionally and internationally.
“They wanted to isolate Zimbabwe on the basis of a false narrative about the state of governance in the country. This has been exposed to be a grand lie by the outcome of our elections.
“Zimbabwe was able to show the world that its commitment to peace is real by holding peaceful elections which were free and fair and whose outcome was credible,” said political analyst Professor Jonathan Moyo.
He said there were very few countries as peaceful as Zimbabwe at the moment.
“This has sent the message to everyone that in fact Zimbabwe is together with the rest of the civilised in terms of elections.
“The election of our country and the President as vice chair of Sadc and the incoming chair of Sadc (next year) is an icing on the cake completing the narrative that all is well in Zimbabwe,” added Prof Moyo.
He said Zimbabwe was now ready for a major economic take-off reminiscent of the political feet achieved at independence in 1980.
Prof Moyo said the country’s election was a significant, clear and unambiguous statement to the EU which was on record saying it stood guided by Sadc on Zimbabwe.
“What remains to be seen is whether the EU meant what they said. Surely we will exercise our leadership together with the rest of Sadc countries in a manner that promotes national, regional and our African interests. We expect that to be recognised especially by countries that continue to have sanctions on us.
There is no longer any question about Zimbabwe geopolitically and there is a huge opportunity for re-engagement in pursuit of national interests,” he said.
Another political analyst Mr Goodwills Masimirembwa said Zimbabwe’s assuming of the Sadc deputy chair post demonstrated to the world that there is no crisis in the country.
“Sadc has demonstrated that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe politically, socially or in whatever form. This has shamed the prophets of doom. The West has an egg on its face. Africa has stood firm on the Zimbabwe issue by maintaining that Zimbabwe is a democratic sovereign nation whose people went to an election adjudged free, fair and credible by the whole world except the West,” he said.
Mr Masimirembwa said Zimbabwe’s Sadc post had also left the MDC-T in a quandary.
“The MDC-T is totally confused. I think the extent of shock they have suffered has caused temporary insanity within its quarters. They are not in control of their senses. I am sure they will recover as Zimbabwe moves on. Our hope is that the MDC-T leadership will free itself from the shackles of imperialist control and behave like normal Zimbabweans and normal Africans.
They are pursuing a hopeless agenda of destabilising their own country when the people of Zimbabwe are clear that they will defend their sovereignty, their resources and their destiny to the very end,” he said.
Dr Charity Manyeruke said Zimbabwe’s election as Sadc deputy chair was a clear indication of the region’s confidence in the country and in President Mugabe’s leadership and was a lesson to the MDC-T.
“It has shown that the MDC-T are novices when it comes to regional politics. They have nowhere to run now. All countries in the region have endorsed President Mugabe’s leadership especially with this appointment,” she said.
Dr Manyeruke said this would also give Sadc time to deal with developmental issues unlike before when the regional bloc wasted time dealing with non events brought on the table by the MDC-T.
Another political analyst Mr Gabriel Chaibva said; “The election of Zimbabwe as Sadc deputy chair immediately after our free and fair and credible harmonised elections, five years after the inclusive Government is a demonstration of the extent to which the credibility of our election is accepted by members of the international community.
It should put paid to those who have been trying to say otherwise. It is also a re-affirmation of Sadc’s confidence in the wise and diligent leadership of His Excellency the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF. This puts Zimbabwe back on the map as a regional and economic powerhouse which is at total peace.”
Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the country’s election by Sadc confirms its status as a regional powerhouse.
“All it shows is that people recognise the centrality of Zimbabwe in the Sadc region. It is one of the powerhouses in the region. Historically, it is an important force which worked with the Frontline States in liberation of countries like Namibia and South Africa. It is now acknowledged as one of the top leaders in the region.
Our election therefore vindicates the leadership of Zanu-PF in the region. We will be taking over as the chairperson of Sadc and obviously we will contribute to its development,” he said.
The country’s election as Sadc deputy chair has apparently irked the MDC-T with its spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora dismissing it as a non event.
“The election means absolutely nothing. Please quote me as having said that,” he quipped
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