Zimbabwe is at the mercy of the military: they are responsible for everything that happens in the country. The police stormed the headquarters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Hundreds of oppositionists have been arrested. However, recalculating votes now gives victory to the presidential party
According to the army command, it seeks to protect the population and preserve the territorial integrity of the country. At the same time, the military is heavily involved in key decision-making in the government of President Mugabe, whom the DDP accuses of stealing their victory by continuing to cling to power despite a crushing electoral defeat. 1 And all this is happening against the background of an eight-year recession in the economy, which leads to an inevitable collapse. According to the latest data, inflation is 165,000% per year, and this is the highest rate in the world.
Authoritative sources say that Zimbabwe's army commander, General Constantine Chiwenga (he is the second most important figure in the country after Mugabe), is planning a re-election campaign, which means that the second round will at least be held. This will happen if the authorities declare that the first round did not reveal a clear winner. Another variant of the development of events is also possible: the elections of a month ago will simply be declared invalid, after which a second vote will be announced.
Salvation from the military
Not long ago, Chiwenga organized a gathering of unit commanders in Bulawayo (the second largest city in Zimbabwe) to chart the path for Mugabe's re-election. According to Zimonline, Chiwenga instructed regional commissions to involve the police and local intelligence agencies in order to develop the right strategy. But it is already clear that this strategy is to encourage political violence. There are rumors now that junior military officials are engaged in political terror against those who support the opposition in rural Zimbabwe. According to the Zimbabwe Doctors Association for Human Rights, they documented 157 cases of political violence.
The seriousness of President Mugabe's intentions to keep power in his hands is also evidenced by the scandal that erupted with the Chinese cargo ship An Yue Jiang, on board which was a large consignment of weapons for Zimbabwe. 2 British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced in the British Parliament his intention to seek an embargo on any arms supplies to the South African country.
parliamentary alignment
Hushing up the result of the presidential election, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced the results of the parliamentary and senate elections, according to which the ruling ZANU-PF party lost its advantage in the lower house of parliament, which has not happened since 1980, that is, since the country gained independence. (The New Times wrote about this in No. 14, April 7, 2008.) However, the party retained its influence in the Senate. The Senate has the power to pass or reject laws proposed by the lower house of parliament, effectively giving Mugabe and his party the upper hand. The recount that has begun in those constituencies where the DDP won (there are 23 in total) may deprive the opposition and advantages in the lower house of parliament. The recount results in the first of 23 districts now point to a victory for the president's party.
The world community cannot understand how Mugabe could get through these elections when everyone has already written him off. In a hurry, many have already seen him retired in a luxurious mansion in Harare, on which millions of dollars were spent, but he pulled an ace from his sleeve with a deft movement. Now its political survival is in the hands of the military. They swore an oath a few days before the election not to recognize anyone but Mugabe. For them, the opposition is Europe's accomplices in the colonization of Zimbabwe.
What many Zimbabweans simply don't know is that Mugabe has concentrated political power in the hands of the military, who form the ranks of the Joint Operations Command. This is the national security service, which includes high ranks of the army, police, secret services and prisons. The source reports that there are people in whom the president has invested a lot of money, and it is these people who are the real power, and not the cabinet of ministers. Everyone can clearly see that winning elections is one thing, but winning power is something else.
Hunting for a competitor
The DDP is confident that an assassination attempt is being prepared on their leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, the party officially confirms that he fears for his life.
Tsvangirai (who is rumored to be in Botswana) wants to seek political asylum. At a meeting between Tsvangirai and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Ghana on April 22, the opposition leader complained about the sharp deterioration in the humanitarian and political situation in Zimbabwe.
DDP general secretary Tendai Biti also cannot say whether the leader will return to Zimbabwe or not. The politician is sure that the political situation in the country is deplorable. “Tsvangirai is worried about his safety and cannot yet say anything about whether he will return to the country or not,” says Biti.
Demonstrating self-confidence, Mugabe declined the invitation of South African President Thabo Mbeki to a summit in Lusaka. Mbeki tried to make every effort to resolve the situation in Zimbabwe and help the country out of the political impasse. Deputy Minister of Information Mugabe Bright Matonga explained the refusal of his boss: “Why would he go? What will he say there?
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1 According to the unofficial estimates of the Movement for Democratic Change, their leader Morgan Tsvangirai was ahead of President Robert Mugabe in the election. 2 South African dockers refused to unload the ship. According to some reports, a ship with 77 tons of weapons headed for Angola.
