Posted on 12/30/2005 9:45:27 AM PST by NormsRevenge
HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe is likely to sink deeper into crisis in 2006 as President Robert Mugabe continues hardline policies that have gutted the economy and isolated his government, analysts say.
The southern African state is in the spotlight after plunging into a political and economic crisis five years ago that many critics blame on Mugabe, its only ruler since independence from Britain in 1980.
Analysts say although Mugabe has consolidated his power this year with a big victory in parliamentary polls and the establishment of a new Senate dominated by his ruling ZANU-PF party, he still feels insecure and has renewed a crackdown on critics and opponents.
"I don't think anyone who is realistic is expecting an improvement in Zimbabwe's political, social and economic environment in the coming year," said John Robertson, a private economic consultant and a leading commentator.
"We are expecting more of the same, more political rhetoric in place of practical pragmatic policies to rescue the economy," he said. The economy has shrunk by over 30 percent in the last five years.
Mugabe, who turns 82 in February, says his government is being undermined by Western opponents led by former colonial power Britain, and has vowed to stay the course against "colonialists" and "imperialists," a stance that has won him some popularity in Africa.
But critics say he has ruined the once-prosperous nation through mismanagement and controversial policies including the chaotic seizure of white-owned farms, a move advertised as benefiting landless blacks but which ended up giving farms mostly to supporters of his ZANU-PF party.
Agricultural output has fallen by over 60 percent since 2000 as an extended drought exacerbated the effects of the land seizures, leaving millions surviving on foreign food aid.
The veteran leader has over the years introduced tough media and security laws that have hobbled the opposition, and analysts say he is showing signs of getting tougher.
In the last month, officials seized and eventually released the passports of three government critics under a new constitutional provision that allows the state to impose travel sanctions on "traitors."
"I think Mugabe only feels secure when he is pursuing his opponents, and his strategy is not to give them any breathing space to organize against him," said Eldred Masunungure, head of the University of Zimbabwe's political science department.
"Unfortunately this strategy leaves little room for compromise ... and he is not likely to yield any ground," he said.
ECONOMY IN TAILSPIN
International isolation and agricultural problems look likely to worsen an economy already in a tailspin.
Unemployment is about 70 percent, inflation at over 500 percent among the world's highest, and the country is struggling with shortages of food, fuel and foreign currency.
The main opposition party, once seen as the chief hope for change, is in disarray amid serious factional feuding.
Over the last two years, Mugabe's government has done just enough to avoid Zimbabwe's expulsion from the International Monetary Fund over debt repayments.
But Australia, the United States and the European Union have imposed travel and financial sanctions on Mugabe and his political associates over accusations of human rights abuses and vote-rigging, while many Western countries have quietly frozen aid to his government.
But this has not dissuaded Mugabe at home or abroad.
Earlier this year, Mugabe's government demolished shantytowns and "illegal houses" in a drive that the United Nations says left 700,000 people homeless in urban areas that are mostly opposition strongholds.
Mugabe, who denies charges of mismanagement, is expected to retire when his term expires in 2008 but has kept both ordinary Zimbabweans and his lieutenants guessing over his chosen heir.
Analysts say Mugabe has made strategic appointments to senior posts in party and government to ensure that loyal cadres are in place to guarantee both continuity and a smooth exit -- a hint that Zimbabwe's confrontation with the West will drag on.
I guess we need to send in Bono
Anyone who has seen the condition of most African Countries in recent times would logically ask "How can conditions get any worse". I've been to Tanzania and it is really bad there and I suspect Zim is even worse - If that's possible. How much lower can these dictators take these people since they are already at rock bottom?
"How much lower can these dictators take these people since they are already at rock bottom?"
I'd say about six feet, en masse.
Awwwwwwwww...say it isn't so.
I thought it was the blue eyed devils fault. (Whitey)
"I thought it was the blue eyed devils fault. (Whitey)"
Well, you know, it is just not PC to blame Mugabe.
It is more fun for them to blame the Brits.
There are plenty of Zimbabwe refugees here in NZ. Life in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) is hell for anyone not in Mugabe's pocket.
Don't let's forget: the West pushed really hard to force Rhodesia to change its government into its current form. Really hard. And we, in the West, got what we wanted: a despot, a tyrant, and the antithesis of Democracy in a country that had, up until that point, been fairly democratically stable. It was the sort of campaign Bono would have approved of and delighted in, in his simplicity.
Now, a Dictator runs Rhodesia/Zimbabwe to his own benefit. He disenfranchises people who own property (naturally, without compensation), and gives title to his party hacks. Doubtless, there is a fat offshore account amassing wealth for Mugabe, as is invariably the case with African despots.
This African leader is a shocker. And guess what? Do-Gooders in the West made him the man that he is today.
What say we instead ask Bono to stay home this year? Well-intentioned yet ignorant people like him did damage enough 30 years ago in Rhodesia.
CHICOM has come to the rescue recently. They've signed agreements with ZIM President and are moving chinese in to now do the farming.
> LOL - The irony is that, for many of these desperate people, it could be argued that six feet under is actually an improvement in their condition.
COL -- the sad truth is you are right.
Man, are they in for a rude awakening.
Who? The Zim President or the chinese. Oh the chicom have promised him, he'll remain in office in style for the rest of his miserable life.
Have you seen the inner cities of America?
Trust me. As bad as life is in most Inner City America it cannot hold a candle to the absolute poverty, ignorance and desperation present in most African Countries today. The only thing Africa might not have is a bunch of thugs with guns (Nobody can afford them or find ammunition if they do have them, not even the Bad Guys) but the Militias make up for this and aren't afraid to use them against innocent, unarmed victims.
True, they are just on the same path.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.