African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma on Friday criticised Western powers for holding back aid to Zimbabwe while President Robert Mugabe was still in power. "This is very unfair to the Zimbabwean people. Because here is Mugabe, he is a factor. He is there. He leads a party that has been in government for over 20 years," Zuma told Reuters in an interview.That's where all the money went. Why send more? How about if he gives some of it back?
Zuma said the creation of a unity government where Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai share power had begun Zimbabwe's stabilisation, but it was only a starting point. "You cannot say it has stabilised but it has entered a phase of stabilisation politically," Zuma said, adding that the unity government agreement, pushed by Southern African leaders "was the only option. There was nothing else."
Unless Bob decides to toss Morgan into the clink again or just have him rubbed out.
Western powers, who accuse Mugabe of ruining the country and violating human rights, are reluctant to begin pouring in aid to repair the devastated economy while the veteran leader remains as head of state.
It's called "throwing good money after bad."
In the highest-level African criticism of this stance, Zuma said it was wrong to hold back aid. "When there was an election, it is not as if not a single human being voted for Mugabe in Zimbabwe. He had a very big percentage himself. He has a sizeable support."
His problem is that the boodle's no longer as sizable. It needs replenished. Perhaps South Africa should do that, rather than us. We've got our own problems.
Western donors have made it clear they will only provide a large aid package to help rebuild the country once economic reforms are in place.
Any moves in that direction? Anyone? Bueller?
Much will depend on whether Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai can work together after years of animosity.
My guess is "no."
Any new power struggle that divides the new government could undermine efforts to win the confidence of donors and foreign investors.
So why should we bother tossing bales of cash at it?