Mugabe, Case Study in Defiance Against the West
How Mugabe Grew Stronger Despite Western Sanctions
May 13, 2009
President Mugabe is a product of European colonialism in Africa. He seems to have mastered his former masters so well that economic sanctions, diplomatic pressures and media attacks have not succeeded in getting him out of power for over a decade since relations with the west went sour. His survival is explained by his ability to turn these obstacles into opportunities. What are the forces that have worked in Mugabe’s favor?
The Deplorable Effects of Colonialism in Zimbabwe
In one of its reports on the land crisis in Zimbabwe titled Blood and Soil, the International Crisis Group (ICG) in September 2004 called on Britain to show greater commitment in resolving the crisis because of the amount of resources it “gleaned” from Zimbabwe under colonial rule. Conscious of this living ghost of colonialism, Britain has always criticized Mugabe with an element of guilt in her voice.
This guilt and remorse on the part of Britain in particular and the West in general, has worked so well in Mugabe’s favor. His credentials as leader of the 15-year long liberation war and his fiery anti-imperialist rhetoric have raised him to the status of a liberator who receives a hero’s welcome at every international gathering despite western travel bans.
At the Lisbon EU-Africa Summit in December 2007, Mugabe was the centre of attraction. He made a flagrant attack on British Premier Gordon Brown and a group of European countries which he termed the “gang of four” - Germany, Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark. “Those who talk of equality have sought to impose their will on Africa and made trumped up charges on Zimbabwe.” As usual, Mugabe carried the day.
Mugabe and the Effects of Western Sanctions
Since he fell out of favor with the West, Mugabe’s regime has come under successive waves of economic sanctions from the West. These sanctions have, however, had little effect on Mugabe as an individual. The octogenarian President celebrated his 85th birth with what the BBC called a “lavish party” while the masses starved and died of cholera.
The full effects of western sanctions have fallen on these innocent Zimbabweans, many of whom are beginning to question the sincerity of the West or their ability to handle Mugabe. Frustrated by “unrealistic demands” placed by the West on the new Government of National Unity in Harare, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangarai is quoted to have taken offense against the West in harsh terms. “… I do not know what other reforms they are talking about.”
How Mugabe takes Advantage of Western Sanctions
President Mugabe has successfully hidden his atrocities and plunder in Zimbabwe under the blanket of western sanctions. Time has worked to his advantage and the old man has been bold enough to declare that “only God” can remove him from power. It is Mugabe’s ability to instill terror that forced the opposition to join in a Government of National Unity which the West is very reluctant to engage with.
Mugabe is no stranger in the game of manipulating the opposition. He silenced his brother-in-arms, Joshua Nkomo and it took enormous bloodshed and personal sacrifice for Tsvangarai to work with Mugabe in a new inclusive government. Mugabe sees western sanctions and calls for regime change as mere bluffs especially as he can easily secure economic, military and diplomatic assistance from China.
Mugabe’s ability to out-maneuver the West is explained in part by his knowledge of the West which he now defines as being hypocritical. In the blessed good old days when he was willing to cooperate, the West showered him with praises and honorary doctorate degrees and countless awards. Mugabe attained knighthood in 1994 only to loose it in 2008 when relations with Britain had ruptured completely.
The last decade has been the most difficult one in the life of post-colonial Zimbabwe. The West has also exhausted itself on Mugabe who has shown the extreme limits of defiance. Having kept the West at bay, and placed the opposition in the hollow of his hands, Mugabe can now sit back in comfort and wait for the judgment of history.
See also: How the West Created Mugabe
Mugabe, From Constitutionalism to Radicalism
Great Power Interests and Zimbabwe’s Land Struggle
Sources:
International Crisis group. Blood and Soil, 2004
Kariuki, Samuel M. Can negotiated land reforms deliver? A case of Kenya’s, South Africa’s and Zimbabwe land reform policy debates, 2004.
Mothobi, Buzwani. “Whites must realize Rhodesia wasn’t forever,” The East African, 2000.
Richardson, Craig. Property Rights, land reform and the hidden Architecture of Capitalism, 2006.
Tongkeh, Fowale Joseph. “The Politics of Land Reforms in Zimbabwe 1980-2005: International Responses, 2007.
Thompson, Alex. An Introduction to African Politics, 2000.
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