Discussing Zimbabwe, without Zimbabwe

EARLY this month, the US government's House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights in Washington DC organised a hearing under the theme "Beyond the Reign of Zimbabwe's Mugabe: A Chance for Democracy or Prelude to Conflict."

The meeting was chaired by Congressmen Christopher Smith and Donald Payne. They both represent the State of New Jersey. Among those who gave testimonies were Ambassador Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs; Ms Sharon Cromer, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Bureau for Africa for the US Agency for International Development; Mr Mark Scheinder, Senior VP for the International Crisis Group and Mr Paul Fagan, Regional Director for Africa for the International Republican Institute.

There also was Mr Dewa Mavhinga, Regional Coordinator Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition. Before the substance and value of these testimonies are thoroughly analysed, it very important to point out that the process completely not only lacks integrity.

It was not aimed at presenting an objective account of developments but a typical country targeted by the US Congress for these proceedings.

As long as the United States continues to parade around the globe as an authority on democracy and human rights, they should begin by answering the question how humane and democratic it is. What qualifies it to hold a hearing discussing a country at length but excluding the country's Ambassador from the process altogether?

This hearing came only 11 months after the hearing Congressman Payne held last year entitled "Zimbabwe: From Crisis to Renewal".

At least from the surface, it appears this year they are more concerned about the people of Zimbabwe, since the hearing has a more elaborate theme. Because Congressman Smith is the Chair of this Committee he had to begin the latest diplomatic assault on the Government and people of Zimbabwe.

He started talking about the mutual hostility between the US Government and President Mugabe and Zanu-PF, and stated that Zimbabwe was considering a new constitution that will lead to elections.

It was laughable listening to Congressman Smith accuse President Mugabe and Zanu-PF of forcefully removing Vice President Nkomo from office, but blatantly ignoring the historic Unity Accord of 1987 between Zanu and Zapu. This shows that Congressman Smith is either has a lazy and incompetent staff or he is intellectually dishonest when discussing Zimbabwe.

These opening remarks by Congressman Smith can only be overshadowed by last year's hearing when he cited the right-wing Heritage Foundation's Index of economic freedom, which ranked Zimbabwe as 178 right behind Cuba and in front of North Korea which was last on their list.

During that hearing Congressman Smith stated that President Mugabe openly embraces North Korea's Juche system and the only way forward is to throw off President Mugabe and criminal elements of Zanu-PF.

The Congressman then took the liberty of recognising Congressman Jeff Flake from Arizona, who he said lived in Zimbabwe between 1982 and 1983,and wrote his thesis on President Mugabe. The Congressman expected us to view President Mugabe through the eyes of a mormon missionary for the Church of Latter Day Saints to South Africa in the 80's.

It is very crucial to mention that Congressman Flake served as the Executive Director of the Foundation in Namibia and went on to serve as the Executive Director of the Goldwater Institute before entering Congress. In the era of overt intelligence Africans must overcome mental shackles, and not let our most bitter detractors persuade us to distance ourselves from the most courageous fighters in our midst and historical space.

The first official testimony came from Ambassador Carson for some strange reason began by highlighting that the US Government was the first country to extend diplomatic relations to Zimbabwe, on the 25th anniversary of the death of Samora Machel.

It is very pompous of Ambassador Carson to exaggerate about past or present diplomatic gestures the US has made towards Zimbabwe past or present. Since Ambassador Carson takes pride in the diplomatic overture he felt compelled to mention, it is tragic he overlooks 1 000 US mercenaries fighting alongside the Rhodesians, and the disrespectful and racist behaviour displayed of President Reagan when he decided to sabotage the Lancaster House Negotiations of 1979.

The Ambassador highlighted what he called serious contention within the ruling party for the right to succeed the President.

He stated further that the State Department would continue to press for protection of human rights and accountable progress where it is made, and maintaining US-EU sanctions on Zimbabwe is a visible manifestation of the US Governments concerns as it pertains to these matters.

The Ambassador has a major dilemma at these hearings. He has to talk tough about Zimbabwe, but at the same time his showboating undermines the work of the US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray, who has decided to approach President Mugabe and Zanu-PF with courtesy and respect which is a departure from his predecessors Christopher Dell and James McGee.

The USAid mouthpiece Ms Cromer openly acknowledged that all of their activities are done, in close consultation with congress, the State and Treasury Department and National Security Council, and are consistent with the US Government's overall strategy and policy.

She also thanked Ambassador Carson for his commitment to the issue, and stated improvements in the living conditions and economic prospects cannot be sustainably achieved without accompanying gains in the political sphere.

The Zimbabwean people in particular and African people as a whole are sick and tired of the pseudo-humanitarianism of US-EU imperialism.

But Ms Cromer apparently shuns this predictable masquerade and is comfortable calling for a change in Zimbabwe with no apology whatsoever.

The most disrespectful testimony was given by Mr Schneider of ICG. Schneider began by mentioning the 25 reports they have given on Zimbabwe.

The most amusing thing about US-based NGO's and think tanks, is they are flooded with CIA wannabes who don't have the stomach for true blue imperialist espionage. It was in poor taste when Mr Schneider claimed President Mugabe has visited Singapore eight times this year due to failing health.

None of the individuals who gave testimonies are friends of the President or are genuinely concerned about his well being or health, it is for that reason that should be declared off limits at this sought of hearing.

Apologists for the US-EU alliance, whether they are journalists like Craig Timberg of the Washington Post or Nicholas Christoff of the New York Times or pro-regime change NGOs and think tanks like ICG or the International Republican Institute, all must masqurade as experts and authorities on Zimbabwe.

The testimony by Mr Fagan of representing IRI smacked of frustration and failure. He began by stating that the very nature of the GPA shields President Mugabe and Zanu-PF from any action against what he calls a Government of National Unity.

Mr Fagen went on to say this would reflect negatively on the MDC partners and stifle any progress they are able to make within the governing coalition.

It is becoming abundantly clear that the main reason Prime Minister Tsvangirai came to the US at the same time President Mugabe and the Zimbabwean delegation were in New York for the General Assembly, was to be part of the strategic planning of these hearings.

The US Government always provides him a shoulder to cry on. The next comments by Mr Fagan worthy of note was overt condemnation of President Mugabe and his party.

If Mr Fagan believes in accuracy he must cease referring to the GPA as a Government of National Unity, it is an inclusive Government and the US according to President Obama has only one Zimbabwean partner at the table, Prime Minister Tsvangirai.

If the US-EU alliance decide to tell the truth about Zimbabwe their efforts will flourish instead of backfire.

What misleads the Africans in the Diaspora is when pro-regime change forces in the US and EU imply that both factions of MDC are their partners, when their anger for Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara is painfully obvious when he is blatantly ignored when they discuss the Zimbabwe issue.

The most predictable methodology in relationship to these hearings is the decision, to find token Zimbabweans to strengthen the arguments made by US Imperialism forces at these hearings, because after all some entertainment becomes necessary the US Government reps and so called experts are quite boring and redundant.

The Crisis in Zimbabwe who Mr Mavhinga proudly represents comprises of 350 civic society organizations, which has five committees advocacy, information, peace building and human rights.

The highlight of Mr Mavingha's remarks was his emphatic statement that the US Congresss should avoid any legislative initiatives, including repealing the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2011 or targeted sanctions. These were the exact sentiments of Mr Joy Mabenge when he testified on behalf of the Democratic Alternative for Zimbabwe in 2009.

The apparent strategy was to have Mr Mavhinga absolutely trash the GPA, which is exactly how he slanted his comments. He declared that the inclusive Government was barely functional, and the GPA had failed to create a viable road map that will pave the way for a genuine transition to free democratic and open society.

The next area Mr Mavhinga focused on was Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa's report at the UN Human Rights Council which he said lacked credibility, and he paraphrased Brigadier General Nyikayaramba of ZNA saying "truly speaking I am in Zanu-PF and Zanu-PF is in me".

What we also appear to overlook is the fact that these "watchdogs" in the civil society sector are hardly neutral and objective like the US-EU alliance make them appear to be.

The time has come for the Government of Zimbabwe to reveal a list of how many civil Society groups are linked to the Tsvangirai faction of MDC. Since we know that Mr Mavhinga is based in Johannesburg which appears to be a hotbed for anti-Zanu-PF activity, whether it is spearheaded by Amnesty International, apologists for the Rhodesian crusader Roy Bennett or the pro-regime change paper the Mail and Guardian.

The last area of Mr Mavhinga's testimony that needs to be addressed was the comment he made pertaining to Zimbabwe's elections, when he said Zanu-PF was unable to force elections in 2011 thanks to a concerted campaign both inside and outside Zimbabwe.

The decision to have elections this year was in accordance with the original GPA agreement, which not only President Mugabe and Zanu PF wanted to honor, but the MDCs stalled them.

In order for the African world to understand the full ramifications of these hearings, and how they are used to usher in civilian neo-colonialism in a region of Africa, were UNITA and RENAMO were soundly defeated in Angola and Mozambique respectively, all we have to do is follow the paper trial and see where it leads us.

When we take this approach we arrive at the doorsteps of Mr George Soros and Sir Richard Branson who are the main European business tycoons, who refuse to abandon the regime change agenda in Zimbabwe even if its burns a hole in their fat pockets.

Many of us discovered that Sir Richard Branson helped establish Enterprise Zimbabwe along with Pam Omidyar of Humanity United, which illustrated that there is an increasing interest for foreign investment in Zimbabwe.

This explains why the Elders group which has several prominent living historical figures like Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu,Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan to name a few, who attempted to force their way into Zimbabwe three years ago, as part of a fact finding mission received 18 million US dollars from Branson as seed money to begin their humanitarian work. Because Mr Soros wants to go to his grave being remembered as the modern day Santa Claus/Father Christmas.

His supporters always point to the US$8 billion dollars he has given to public health and education causes.

This is but a feeble attempt to divert attention away from the fact he is extremely comfortable in his seat, on the Council Of Foreign Relations Board Of Directors which he has no intention of abandoning anytime soon.

The Soros sponsored Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa has always financed the Labor and Economic Development Research Institute Of Zimbabwe, which is a think tank of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), that Prime Minister Tsvangirai proudly led as the Secretary General before receiving instructions and money to go and spearhead the MDC.

Because Mr Mavhinga and his colleagues in the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition are fed and clothed by Mr Soros, it is no secret where their loyalties will lie, as long as they remain his faithful employees.

We should share with these misguided souls the powerful words of a true patriot of Africa, the late Thomas Sankara former President of Burkina Faso.

Sankara taught us, "He who feeds you controls you".

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Obi Egbuna Is The US Correspondent To The Herald.