The Zimbabwe Factor in Thabo Mbeki's Fall
Silent Diplomacy Towards Zimbabwe and the Fate of Mbeki
Jul 19, 2009
While internal wrangling within South Africa was a deciding factor in Thabo Mkeki’s fall from power, no one doubts Robert Mugabe’s contribution in accelerating this demise. Mr. Mbeki insisted on “silent diplomacy” over Mugabe’s Zimbabwe at the risk of his political reputation. It was because of this stubborn support for Mugabe that South African journalist Justice Malala saw Mr. Mbeki simply as Mugabe’s “foreign minister.”
Why Mbeki Supported Mugabe
Till his last day in office (and as mediator in Zimbabwe) Mbeki defended his “silent diplomacy” on grounds of correcting the mistakes of history. As grand master of “African Renaissance,” Mbeki shunned what he saw as western hypocrisy, double standards and racism, all of which were driving forces behind Zimbabwe’s land crisis. “Mr. Mbeki’s argument is that there are many other African countries where democracy is subverted” says Mark Gervisser, “but these are hardly a blip on the screens of CNN or BBC.”
While Mkeki stood his grounds, other observers saw his attachment to Mugabe from different lenses. Gervisser again interprets this alliance on “filial obligation,” “diplomatic strategy,” stubbornness and a belief that ZANU-PF would never concede power any way. This belief in the “divine right” of ZANU-PF was very strong at the radical phase of Zimbabwe’s land crisis. This was because Mbeki easily bought Mugabe’s theory of being a victim of western imperialism.
Professor Stephen Chan explains what he calls Thabo Mbeki’s “extraordinary patience” with Mugabe on five factors. The first is the support Mugabe enjoyed among his “hard line generals” who urge him to carry on. Secondly, as a man of the liberation generation, Mbeki did not see Morgan Tsvangarai as a “viable alternative president.”
The third reason for the Mbeki-Mugabe bond is ideological affinity. Mbeki and Mugabe simply get along quite well intellectually. Fourthly, Mbeki has an open reverence for Mugabe the “grand old man of liberation.” Professor Chan finally identifies what he calls “blind spots” in Mbeki whom he considers as being stubborn.
How Mugabe cost Mbeki his Political Reputation
As architect of “African Renaissance,” President Mbeki commanded great respect internationally at a time when Africa was struggling to enter the world stage with a new face. Mbeki was seen as an African visionary and a true pan-Africanist capable of redeeming the image of the continent. However, the one thing that stained this glowing reputation was Mr. Mbeki’s refusal to distance himself from Mugabe. This situation also played dangerously into the hands of Mbeki’s domestic opponents.
It was at the 52nd national conference of the African National Conference at Polokwane that Mr. Mbeki’s fate was sealed. The international press reported Mr. Mbeki as being “jeered” and “booed” at. Among Mr. Mbeki’s opponents counted a large number of white farmers who feared his being contaminated by Mugabe. Within Zimbabwe itself, Mr. Mbeki had completely lost respect and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangarai openly called for his replacement as mediator, considering him an obstacle to peace in Zimbabwe.
To dismiss Mr. Mbeki’s mediation efforts in Zimbabwe in a few words is, however, gross injustice to a man who devoted considerable time and energy to bring Mugabe and Tsvangarai together, a job that was completed by his successor Kgalema Motlanthe. It was during Mbeki’s tenure that Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped economy benefited from a $500 loan in 2005. Like the biblical Moses, however, Mbeki did not witness the birth of Zimbabwe’s unity government. Jacob Zuma, the beneficiary of Mbeki’s failure has many lessons to learn.
See also: South Africa-Zimbabwe Relations under Mbeki
Sources:
Chan, Stephen. “Mbeki’s failure over Zimbabwe,” Politicsweb, December 17, 2007.
Gervisser, Mark. Mbeki and Mugabe. Wall Street Journal, June 27, 2008.
Myburg, James. “Why Thabo Mbeki Supports Mugabe,” Politicsweb, May 5, 2008.
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