Whatever Happens In Zimbabwe Stays In Zimbabwe ( A Romantic Coup d’tat)

Zimbabwe has been a very interesting country right from the time I started comprehending issues on the international scene, especially on African affairs. This week, the world watched with bated breath as tanks rolled into the capital, Harare in a show of force by the Zimbabwean Defence Forces to purge criminal elements (alleged) around the President, Robert Gabriel Mugabe.  The military command claimed these criminal elements were the ones who were ill advising the president to take certain decisions that seemed to be detrimental to the fundamentals of the Zimbabwean revolution and the survival of the country. Indirectly, they were saying that the soul of the nation has been kept in limbo for a long time.

These all started when the Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa sacked by the President allegedly based on the advice of Grace Mugabe, the wife of the president. Several reasons were given as to why the veep was given the sack. One of the most absurd reasons was that it was to pave way for the President’s wife, Grace Mugabe to become vice president and later succeed his husband. Now it seems the old man is not willing to budge and hand over power to an interim president. The military is also running out of time and the opposition is now mounting pressure on the President to resign. The opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai who was being treated for cancer in Britain quickly rushed back to Harare to mount pressure on the incumbent to resign and hand over power peacefully. Meanwhile, there were conflicting reports of the whereabouts of Grace Mugabe, with some reports suggesting that she fled to South Africa, other reports said she was in Namibia and others saying that she was holed up at her residence in Harare being protected by her loyal supporters in the ZANU-PF party. The main actors in this political crisis are Grace Mugabe, Emmerson “The Crocodile” Mnangawa, General Constantino Chiwenga of the Zimbabwean Defence Forces and Reverend Father Fidelis Mukonori ( A Zimbabwean Catholic Priest who is said to be a long time friend of Robert Mugabe and he is leading the mediation efforts for a peaceful transition of power.)

Meanwhile the military have been holding talks with President Robert Mugabe at his residence. The initial reports suggested he was under house arrest, but the pictures showed otherwise as they were rather engaged in frank and cordial discussions. The embattled president even had the opportunity to attend a graduation ceremony at one of the universities in the capital, Harare. Is this a house arrest? Not to mention the western media that has sharpened their teeth waiting to devour Mugabe once he has been kicked out of power. At this moment, we don’t need any pretentious statement from the toothless African Union (AU), the ever hypocritical United Nations and the South African Development Commission (SADC). I believe his enemies, especially the west are surprised as to why the country has not degenerated into chaos and civil strife, and they are confused why the military is refusing to call the situation a coup. Zimbabweans themselves will solve their problems and no life will be lost. Robert Mugabe will not go into exile but live out his days in Zimbabwe. Now to avoid a constitutional crisis in the country, Mugabe will have no option than to reappoint his vice president and hand over power to him. Since the army does not want the Speaker of the parliament to act as president. Robert Mugabe has so far refused to resign his position until the ZANU-PF hold their congress to impeach him or officially sack him as the party leader.  I will call this situation a “Romantic Coup”. Whatever happens in Zimbabwe will definitely stay in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe will remain peaceful and normal activities will go on. Long live Zimbabwe, long live Africa.

South Africa: When The Rainbow Loses Its Colors

Is Africa a united continent? Are we serious about being each other’s keeper in Africa? Why should we fight amongst ourselves to the extent of killing each other? February 21^st, 2017 will go down in the history of the African continent as one of the saddest days for Mother Africa. This was a day when some black South Africans decided to attack other nationals in their country. Most of those attacked were Nigerians and other African nationals. Their shops and businesses were vandalized and burnt to the ground. Some of these foreign nationals also lost their lives as a result of these attacks.

Whiles the police moved in to protect the lives and properties of these foreign nationals, the attackers fought running street battles with them. They were complaining about not getting jobs as a result of these foreign nationals taking over jobs that were meant for them. But in my humble opinion and from my readings, these same South African citizens are not ready and willing to take up some of these so called menial jobs which the foreigners have taken up.  The South African government should condemn these xenophobic attacks and put in place measures to curb future occurrences of this nature. My question is, why is it that most black South Africans are still under economic apartheid? Why have they not been empowered economically? Why do they look down on certain menial jobs but when other nationals take up these jobs, they turn around to attack them? Should the ANC government be blamed for these acts of lawlessness being perpetuated by some black South African citizens? Meanwhile, I have not heard the African Union condemn these xenophobic attacks.

Ghana’s Parliament condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa and measures have been put in place to safeguard the lives and properties of Ghanaian citizens living and working in South Africa. When the attacks do not stop, I think we should boycott South African products and businesses in Ghana. This will put pressure on their government to act swiftly and curb the xenophobic attacks. Have they forgotten so soon when almost all the African countries came together to help them fight against the apartheid system? What if we also retaliated as it was reported that some Nigerians wanted to vandalize some MTN offices in Nigeria? One thing we should know is that Africans need each other to survive no matter the situation. I am sure the western world would be looking at South Africa with glee and their sensational media houses will have a field day giving 24 hour updates on the situation in South Africa. They always want to project bad news from Africa to the rest of the world. It’s time we proved them wrong. South Africans should be ready to coexist peacefully with Africans from other countries as they are in their country to do legitimate business and also pay taxes to help develop the country. United we stand, divided we fall. Africa must unite.

The Afrophobic Attacks In South Africa

The world went on a jubilation spree when Nelson Mandela was released from prison and this signaled the beginning of the end for the apparthied system in South Africa. I remember that afternoon very well because i was glued to my father's black and white television set. I was so much interested in happenings around the world at that very young age. That was one of the moments i will forever cherish in my lifetime.

I also remember watching the reactions of several world leaders and victory parades held in almost all of the African countries. I still have that nostalgic feeling of that glorious day. Most African countries supported the ANC in their fight against the apparthied regime. This was a brutal struggle and the black South Africans who were in the majority were being discriminated against on several fronts, thus they became fed up with the system and took up arms to fight for their legitimate rights.

Thus, elections were held and Nelson Mandela won with an overwhelming majority to become the first black president of South Africa. They then gradually started to consolidate their rule. Many years have passed and successful elections have been held in South Africa. We were then taken aback when xenophobic attacks against fellow black Africans by South Africans took place with a lot of foreigners loosing their lives and properties. This was somehow stopped and normalcy prevailed.

Fast forward to 2015, we were met once again with attacks on black foreigners by South Africans in the major cities and towns. It seems the police is not doing much to curb and control the situation as shops owned by foreigners are looted and burnt with a number of these foreigners loosing their lives.

My question is, is this how South Africa repays the rest of Africa for helping them get rid of the appartheid regime? What have we done wrong to deserve these barbaric acts? Other African countries can also retaliate by expelling the South African envoys, boycotting South African owned businesses etc etc.

I see these attacks as afrophobic and not xenophobic because only black African foreigners are being attacked. God save our brothers and sisters in South Africa. Those behind these attacks must be found and dealt with. These are crimes akin to war crimes and i hope the ICC is watching. The indictment should come fast for whoever made statements to incite these afrophobic attacks to be hauled before the ICC to face the full rigours of the law.  

Game Time In Africa.(AFCON 2013)

Once again, the African Cup of Nations is just about to commence in South Africa. This is the 29th edition of a very prestigious football festival. The African continent abounds in many sporting talents and geniuses and these are going to be displayed when the games begin. There is no denying the fact that one of the powerhouses of African football, Egypt missed out once again in this celebration of football talents in 2013. All the 16 countries would be competing for one giant trophy which was previously won by the Chipolopolo(Cooper Bullets) of Zambia, as they shot all their opponents with their spectacular display of football. Each country's team is aiming for the trophy, but we all know that at the end of the day, only one winner would emerge with the losers going back home to the drawing board to strategise and come back another time. Tournaments like these bring to the fore the true sense of nationalism for one's country. Passions and emotions are at their highest levels when the games are being played. The missed penalties, squandered opportunities in front of goal, blunders committed by players, controversial refereeing decisions, the attitude of the supporters at the various stadia, the fight for screening rights, and a host of other football related matters will dominate the various media, both print and electronic for almost a whole month when this tournament commences on the 19th of January. The ability of the host country, South Africa to organize a good tournament would also at the end of the day be brought to the fore. As usual, the football scouts hunting for African talents would be at the various stadia to make sure they spot future stars for their teams in Europe and Africa. But as we embark on this emotional and passionate soccer festival, let us have it in mind that, in a game of football, three things are involved, a win, draw or a loss, and we as supporters of our respective countries must be ready and willing to accept any outcome. May the best team win the African Cup of Nations 2013, good luck to all the participating teams, let us ensure fair play at all the game venues. To the rest of the world from Africa, i say, we love our football, bring the game on.

NATO and the BRICS on a Collission Course?

It seems a new world order is emerging and the traditional powers are feeling a bit jittery. It seems their worst fears are about to be confirmed. This new world power is made up of five industrialized countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and just recently South Africa was added (BRICS). These five countries have decided to come together to form a strong union to counter the western powers. The US is feeling so much peeved and she is trying to put in place measures to curb this emerging world power. These five countries have so much wealth in terms of oil and other mineral resources and were able to give the IMF a huge sum of money. BRICS is seriously moving into Africa to make sure that the African economies get favorable terms on the exploitation of their natural resources. This seems to be contrary to what the European Union and their American counterparts are doing in Africa. The American President Barack Obama was in Australia to sign a security agreement with them. In his own words, he said that it was to check the expansion of China in the South Pacific. He is asking the Australians to allow the US to build a military base on Australian territory. The US is afraid of its own shadow. NATO to would follow suit very soon. The BRICS wold not relent in their efforts to expand their economies. These old powers like NATO and the US should know that their time is about to end and a new force in the world would emerge to put a check on them. They should know that the BRICS have come to stay and the traditional powers must give way for them to operate. Right now the Americans and NATO have Iran on their radar. The crux of the matter is that, why cant Iran be allowed to produce its own nuclear weapons if the Americans have also been given the power to do so, Israel has nuclear weapons, why dont the UN tell them to stop and impose sanctions on them. Its an "Animal Farm" situation, two legs bad, four legs good. I have this feeling that if care is not taken, this Iranian nuclear issue would escalate into another full scale war, and i bet you the BRICS would not sit there idle and watch it happen. NATO must accept the fact that the world is fed up with their illegal invasion of countries in the name of protecting civilians. Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Iraq and just recently Libya where the Libyan leader was murdered in cold blood. Time will surely tell if NATO can continue with this behaviour, its time their bluff is called off and the BRICS is just the emerging power to do that.