Zimbabwe finds itself at a cross-road, a moment in its independent history that needs to be carefully observed, monitored ad responded to. As socio-economic challenges mount, the country continues to witness a number of events that could escalate into civil unrest. There are warning signs similar to the Syrian crisis that should not be ignored. These include the following:
- High levels of corruption and partisan distribution of resources
- Repressed citizens who are relatively peaceful (negative peace)
- A young generation that is fed up with the situation and is now speaking out through protests
- Hard handed responses to the peaceful protests by the regime
- Failure by the government to address the issues raised by the protesting citizens
- Increased threats to deal with protestors
Indeed the negative peace that has prevailed in this Southern African country is waning thinner by each passing day. With mounting tension across the country this peace can easily turn into direct violence and an all-out civil unrest. This implosion could impact, not only the country but the entire SADC region. Therefore is it vital that the SADC regional body and the AU should not ignore these warning signs.
There is a rising voice of disgruntled Zimbabwean citizens that are demanding change and a curtailing of runaway poverty and socio-economic injustices. More and more activists and movements are speaking out against the Mugabe-led government. The citizens in Zimbabwe and abroad have turned to social media as a tool and weapon to use in airing their concerns. What is worrisome though, are the sporadic flare-ups of violence amidst the otherwise non-violent strategy being applied in Zimbabwe. There have been incidences where some organisations, like the War Veterans, that have previously supported Mugabe breaking rank and speaking out against his misrule and dictatorial tendencies.
Of great concern is the ruling party’s response to the citizens’ protests. Instead of creating a platform where the citizens’ issues are addressed, the reaction has been nothing less than comforting. Apart from the usual tactic of activists’ arrests, there has been an increase in violent clampdowns through heightened police brutality. Former freedom fighters and activists have, in a move that stifles freedom of expression, been arrested and brought to court on charges of treason or trying to circumvent and constitutional government. The ruling party has also gone about in a public display of bravado through a series of public gathering of its members. It is at such gatherings that Mugabe has declared that he will deal with discerning citizens and war veterans. Zanu PF supporters have openly denounced the citizens that have been demanding an end to corruption. There have been reports of violent attacks on members from the opposition. Probably as an attempt to provoke violent reactions from the protestors, who have generally been peaceful in their protests thus far?
The above mentioned tell-tale signs cannot be ignored at all costs but shockingly, regional bodies like SADC and the UN, have been mum on the unfolding events in Zimbabwe. A silence that could be interpreted as siding with the regime as it continues wit human rights violations and abuse of citizens. They need to unequivocally speak out and advocate for the hard-handed response to peaceful protests to stop. SADC should consider an emergency summit to identify ways of supporting Zimbabwe in addressing its runaway socio-economic crisis before more economic refugees spread out across Zimbabwe’s borders.
Going forward Zimbabwean citizens need to put across their demands through non-violent means. Failure to do so could lead to increased clampdowns. On the other hand, the Zimbabwean government must not ignore its disgruntled citizens but rather should respond in a non-partisan manner. The continued silence on the pertinent issues that have been raised can easily spur up radicalism, with dejected youth taking matters into their own hands. If uncurtailed, through direct interventions from regional bodies, Zimbabwe could go the Syrian route where a response to citizens’ protests morphed out into a serious civil catastrophe.
The time for all stakeholders, within and without Zimbabwe, to act on this ever changing crisis is NOW.
