Posted on 03/24/2002 7:18:34 PM PST by Clive
HARARE Despite vigorous SA efforts to secure political accommodation in Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe seems intent on a hardline cabinet committed to scorched-earth policies.
Official sources said yesterday that President Thabo Mbeki's reconciliation and economic recovery plans faced collapse as Mugabe contemplated a "crisis cabinet" to resist growing international pressure and sanctions after his disputed election victory. That would make a coalition impossible with Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Mugabe seemed interested at first in Mbeki's unity talks and the economic rescue package as he sought political legitimacy, but made an about-turn on Wednesday, and dug in his heels, raising fear of heightened repression.
A day after Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth, Mugabe pounced on Tsvangirai. Despite his earlier assurance to Mbeki and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo that he would not hound opponents, Mugabe dragged Tsvangirai to court on treason charges for an alleged assassination plot.
The US said the treason charges were baseless, and it was reviewing more measures to pressure Zimbabwe's leadership.
Sources said Zimbabwean Finance Minister Simba Makoni and Industry and International Trade Minister
Herbert Murerwa seen in SA and the US as progressive faced the chop in a looming cabinet reshuffle. It is thought Mugabe will cling to his old guard and turf out ministers amenable to economic reforms.
Insiders said the "ultras" would prevail over reformers, given the state of Mugabe's mind.
It is now accepted in government circles that Vice-Presidents Simon Muzenda and Joseph Msika will be retired. Sources said Mugabe's combative loyalists like Jonathan Moyo, Patrick Chinamasa, Elliot Manyika, Sydney Sekeramayi and Nicholas Goche were set to form the core of the obstructionist team.
A reactionary cabinet would undermine the rescue package the SA government was preparing. Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin said last week Pretoria was waiting in the wings with a recovery plan linked to political stability. Ironically, the plan was drafted with the assistance of Makoni last year.
While there has been growing international pressure for a new election in Zimbabwe, Malawian President Bakili Muluzi called yesterday for closure, saying the controversial election was now "water under the bridge".
Muluzi said the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC), which he chairs, would help Zimbabwe rebuild its economy and attain political stability.
"It's important that there is stability in that country because the economy is in shambles. Stability is the future of Zimbabwe," he told Malawian observers to the Zimbabwean election at his Sanjika palace in Blantyre.
Meanwhile, Tsvangirai has joined calls for another poll.
Charging that Mugabe stole the presidential poll, the opposition chief said his party was pressing for an election rerun in line with growing international demands.
Bulawayo-based opposition party Zapu also called for the election to be staged again under United Nations monitoring.
I thought the military *wanted* Mugabe?
His insanity is not only the factor in the ruination of his own country, it is going to help destroy all of SubSaharan Africa. SADC and NEPAD both need stabiity to work. There is NO stability in Zimbabwe, and Mbeki and the ANC look like the horrors they are. The EU, the Commonweth, and the USA are NOT going to prop up anybody, in Africa , no matter how much they try to blackmail and yell " racist ". When push comes to shove, even lefty Liberals don't pour their investment money down a sinkhole.
Regards,
Maybe thats Mugabe's problem as well.
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