Opinion / Columnist
What do the changes in Zimbabwean leadership mean to diaspora (asylum seekers)
27 Nov 2017 at 20:20hrs | Views
As the revolutionary, liberator, true son of the soil and the living legend and supreme leader, Robert Mugabe has been the face of Zimbabwe for so long that it's almost impossible to imagine the country without him. The unthinkable happened, it started as a threat. The army gave the president five things to be sorted or else they will take drastic action. People thought it was a joke or simply an empty threat. The propaganda the ministers around the president have spread around was that nothing will ever happen to the president and therefore nobody took the army seriously. This was the first mistake and the total misleading of the president by the cabal which was so close to him and to his wife, rather so close to his wife. When tanks rolled into the capital, Harare, and the armed forces took custody of His Excellence Mugabe and his wife, Grace. Military spokesmen said they were "safe and sound and their security was guaranteed."
It was very clear that things are taking a change which was irreversible in Zimbabwe. The situation slapped many Zimbabweans with highly mixed feelings. Feelings of great change and feelings of uncertainty enveloped all Zimbabweans wherever they were.
The president Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years - the entire existence of Zimbabwe after the downfall of the white minority government of what was then called Rhodesia. In that four-decade period, most Zimbabweans had used the name of the president as source of income, those in diaspora had to use the name of Mugabe in order to get asylum. Wherever possible they vilified him and made the host nations happy, the EU took evidence of the so called asylum seekers from Zimbabwe and many got their stay from the name of Robert Mugabe. Hate him or Love him Mugabe gave millions a new life a legal stay and a lot which could not be achieved by many other leaders.
More important, despite the sanctions which caused economic decline and international isolation, Mugabe was the undisputed master of Zimbabwe. While the strength and wisdom of the president was captured by the thugs surrounding him the legacy took a downward fall which was uncontrollable. The behaviour of the first lady in rallies did cast a lot of doubt on sanity and many wondered if this could be our chosen leader and whether she could represent us fully in international stages.
The military action, which was not a coup d'état, was the latest chapter of a bitter fight within Mugabe's political regime, one that's resulted in the president being caught in his own web of intrigue and realignment. Most people would say the action of the army was to free the president from his imposing wife and the power hungry four. The military brought freedom to both the president and the people. It was indeed a true liberation for every Zimbabwean home and away president Mugabe included.
As the military took over the state broadcaster, a spokesman insisted Mugabe wasn't a target. "We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice," Major General Sibusiso Moyo said. It remains to be seen if one of those enemies of the people will be Grace. A polarizing force, the first lady has never been shy about her ambitions or her enmity with Mnangagwa. In recent years, she's become the centre of the youth faction of Mugabe's ruling party. To her husband's annoyance, Mnangagwa's allies repeatedly used this line against her: "Leadership is not sexually transmitted." On Nov. 6, the president fired Mnangagwa after intense pressure from the First Lady and a group of four influential ministers. Cde Munangagwa then fled the country saying he feared for his life. On November 13 2017, General Chiwenga, who had, just returned from a trip to China, declared, "When it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in." The next day, it did and the country saw a change never to be seen again in our life time.
Robert Mugabe is still the historic face of the revolution - and a face-saving transition needed to take place. The comparison this time is to China, where Jiang Qing and the rest of the Gang of Four were poised to take power after the death of Jiang's husband, Mao Zedong, the founder of the communist People's Republic of China. After they were foiled and arrested, Hua Guofeng, a propagandists as Mao's true ideological heir to explain why his very visible widow was now completely out of the picture. Deng Xiaoping, the real mastermind of Jiang's overthrow, eventually took over the actual reins of power. But what do the changes in Zimbabwe mean for the Zimbabweans who are abroad and on asylum.
Zimbabweans in Britain are so apprehensive of the changes; their trump card has been exposed. Those who cried persecution will have nothing to cry about now since the scape goat has been rested.
In a very interesting turn of event Britain was the first country to send an envoy to welcome and embrace the changes in Zimbabwe. Minister Rory Stewart who was sent to Zimbabwe called on the President Emmerson D Munangagwa to reform. He was the first British minister to visit Zimbabwe after the fall of the president Mugabe. Again this was the first minister from the UK to officially visit Zimbabwe after two decades.
Britain called on the new president of Zimbabwe to make good on promises to establish a new democracy following Robert Mugabe's fall from power as the first government minister to visit the country in nearly 20 years landed in Harare. Rory Stewart, Britain's minister for Africa, called on Emmerson Mnangagwa to show "clear resolve" on reform as he arrived in the capital for talks with officials and civil society activists on Thursday. The visit came as Zimbabwe's main opposition party warned Comrade Mnangagwa that he must dismantle the "pillars of repression" built by Mr Mugabe if he is to live up to public expectations of change.
Comrade Mnangagwa, who was inaugurated as president on Friday, responded by calling all those Zimbabweans abroad to come home. he promised to create a situation conducive to prosperity peace and unity. No Zimbabwean must be a refugee and if there was any political detainee the president promised to release them.
The opposition has as well embraced cde Mnangagwa and requested the world to give him a chance. The president in his speech did not disappoint, he promised to forgive everyone, let the bygones be bygone, and he requested unity and development. a promise of a brighter new Zimbabwe is in the offing.
This flowery progressive language cast a dark cloud on those who have been in the UK and other countries on Asylum. There is no reason now to hide behind violence or created human rights abuses. The curtains have been rolled up and the stage is open to view.
In very few months Britain will intensify its removals of the Zimbabweans on the basis that the country is now safe. After all most people where kept for safety and nothing else.
While it seemed too early to say anything definitively, his inauguration speech, gave hope of peace and put to turmoil the hope of asylum seekers all over the world." the inauguration speech gave us some indication of the trajectory the country intends to follow going forward.
President Mnangagwa, a former vice president who had fled the country after being fired earlier this month, returned to Zimbabwe in triumph on Wednesday the 15th November 2017.. He was sworn in as president on Friday morning at a ceremony at Harare's 60,000-seat National Sports Stadium.
In a speech to supporters on Wednesday he hailed a "new and unfolding democracy" and promised "jobs, jobs, jobs," raising hope among pro-democracy activists that he will heed demands for both economic and political reform. This speech while it was well it is a death nail to diaspora staying on asylum abroad. Their position is now untenable. There is no hiding behind fear of persecution and many more Zimbabweans will find their permits not renewed and their asylum claims refused.
Freedom comes with a price, most freedoms are watered with the blood but this one is watered with some economical sacrifice.
The Zimbabweans abroad while happy that Zimbabwe is not held at Ransom by a group of four they are sad that the uncertainty creeps right into their economic space.
Mr Stewart, who is the first British minister to visit since 1998, arrived in Harare to meet politicians and civil society activists on Thursday morning. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office would not confirm whether he met with Mr Mnangagwa.
This is an absolutely critical moment in Zimbabweans in the UK. The minister visited and left with no incident so no one can claim that there will be a problem if taken back to Zimbabwe. What comes next will be a flood gate of Zimbabweans being sent home to use the skills they have acquired abroad. The government of Britain said on Thursday that Britain is putting together an unspecified package of support for Zimbabwe tied with progress on political and economic reform. So it is obvious that Zimbabwe will play it safe and cool in order to grab the aid which is much needed. The aid will come with thousands of those in diaspora. In the House of Lords deputy leader of the house Lord Howe said "As Zimbabwe's oldest friend we will do all we can to support a legitimate government to rebuild the country, working with international and regional partners.". This statement spells doom to over 300,000 Zimbabweans living in Britain.
In short the changes in Zimbabwe have left the diaspora in sixes and sevens. Their future abroad is not certain and those with unfinished cases might find themselves on the next flight home. After all home is best. Indeed it is best.
VAZET2000@YAHOO.CO.UK
It was very clear that things are taking a change which was irreversible in Zimbabwe. The situation slapped many Zimbabweans with highly mixed feelings. Feelings of great change and feelings of uncertainty enveloped all Zimbabweans wherever they were.
The president Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years - the entire existence of Zimbabwe after the downfall of the white minority government of what was then called Rhodesia. In that four-decade period, most Zimbabweans had used the name of the president as source of income, those in diaspora had to use the name of Mugabe in order to get asylum. Wherever possible they vilified him and made the host nations happy, the EU took evidence of the so called asylum seekers from Zimbabwe and many got their stay from the name of Robert Mugabe. Hate him or Love him Mugabe gave millions a new life a legal stay and a lot which could not be achieved by many other leaders.
More important, despite the sanctions which caused economic decline and international isolation, Mugabe was the undisputed master of Zimbabwe. While the strength and wisdom of the president was captured by the thugs surrounding him the legacy took a downward fall which was uncontrollable. The behaviour of the first lady in rallies did cast a lot of doubt on sanity and many wondered if this could be our chosen leader and whether she could represent us fully in international stages.
The military action, which was not a coup d'état, was the latest chapter of a bitter fight within Mugabe's political regime, one that's resulted in the president being caught in his own web of intrigue and realignment. Most people would say the action of the army was to free the president from his imposing wife and the power hungry four. The military brought freedom to both the president and the people. It was indeed a true liberation for every Zimbabwean home and away president Mugabe included.
As the military took over the state broadcaster, a spokesman insisted Mugabe wasn't a target. "We are only targeting criminals around him who are committing crimes that are causing social and economic suffering in the country in order to bring them to justice," Major General Sibusiso Moyo said. It remains to be seen if one of those enemies of the people will be Grace. A polarizing force, the first lady has never been shy about her ambitions or her enmity with Mnangagwa. In recent years, she's become the centre of the youth faction of Mugabe's ruling party. To her husband's annoyance, Mnangagwa's allies repeatedly used this line against her: "Leadership is not sexually transmitted." On Nov. 6, the president fired Mnangagwa after intense pressure from the First Lady and a group of four influential ministers. Cde Munangagwa then fled the country saying he feared for his life. On November 13 2017, General Chiwenga, who had, just returned from a trip to China, declared, "When it comes to matters of protecting our revolution, the military will not hesitate to step in." The next day, it did and the country saw a change never to be seen again in our life time.
Robert Mugabe is still the historic face of the revolution - and a face-saving transition needed to take place. The comparison this time is to China, where Jiang Qing and the rest of the Gang of Four were poised to take power after the death of Jiang's husband, Mao Zedong, the founder of the communist People's Republic of China. After they were foiled and arrested, Hua Guofeng, a propagandists as Mao's true ideological heir to explain why his very visible widow was now completely out of the picture. Deng Xiaoping, the real mastermind of Jiang's overthrow, eventually took over the actual reins of power. But what do the changes in Zimbabwe mean for the Zimbabweans who are abroad and on asylum.
Zimbabweans in Britain are so apprehensive of the changes; their trump card has been exposed. Those who cried persecution will have nothing to cry about now since the scape goat has been rested.
In a very interesting turn of event Britain was the first country to send an envoy to welcome and embrace the changes in Zimbabwe. Minister Rory Stewart who was sent to Zimbabwe called on the President Emmerson D Munangagwa to reform. He was the first British minister to visit Zimbabwe after the fall of the president Mugabe. Again this was the first minister from the UK to officially visit Zimbabwe after two decades.
Britain called on the new president of Zimbabwe to make good on promises to establish a new democracy following Robert Mugabe's fall from power as the first government minister to visit the country in nearly 20 years landed in Harare. Rory Stewart, Britain's minister for Africa, called on Emmerson Mnangagwa to show "clear resolve" on reform as he arrived in the capital for talks with officials and civil society activists on Thursday. The visit came as Zimbabwe's main opposition party warned Comrade Mnangagwa that he must dismantle the "pillars of repression" built by Mr Mugabe if he is to live up to public expectations of change.
Comrade Mnangagwa, who was inaugurated as president on Friday, responded by calling all those Zimbabweans abroad to come home. he promised to create a situation conducive to prosperity peace and unity. No Zimbabwean must be a refugee and if there was any political detainee the president promised to release them.
The opposition has as well embraced cde Mnangagwa and requested the world to give him a chance. The president in his speech did not disappoint, he promised to forgive everyone, let the bygones be bygone, and he requested unity and development. a promise of a brighter new Zimbabwe is in the offing.
This flowery progressive language cast a dark cloud on those who have been in the UK and other countries on Asylum. There is no reason now to hide behind violence or created human rights abuses. The curtains have been rolled up and the stage is open to view.
In very few months Britain will intensify its removals of the Zimbabweans on the basis that the country is now safe. After all most people where kept for safety and nothing else.
While it seemed too early to say anything definitively, his inauguration speech, gave hope of peace and put to turmoil the hope of asylum seekers all over the world." the inauguration speech gave us some indication of the trajectory the country intends to follow going forward.
President Mnangagwa, a former vice president who had fled the country after being fired earlier this month, returned to Zimbabwe in triumph on Wednesday the 15th November 2017.. He was sworn in as president on Friday morning at a ceremony at Harare's 60,000-seat National Sports Stadium.
In a speech to supporters on Wednesday he hailed a "new and unfolding democracy" and promised "jobs, jobs, jobs," raising hope among pro-democracy activists that he will heed demands for both economic and political reform. This speech while it was well it is a death nail to diaspora staying on asylum abroad. Their position is now untenable. There is no hiding behind fear of persecution and many more Zimbabweans will find their permits not renewed and their asylum claims refused.
Freedom comes with a price, most freedoms are watered with the blood but this one is watered with some economical sacrifice.
The Zimbabweans abroad while happy that Zimbabwe is not held at Ransom by a group of four they are sad that the uncertainty creeps right into their economic space.
Mr Stewart, who is the first British minister to visit since 1998, arrived in Harare to meet politicians and civil society activists on Thursday morning. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office would not confirm whether he met with Mr Mnangagwa.
This is an absolutely critical moment in Zimbabweans in the UK. The minister visited and left with no incident so no one can claim that there will be a problem if taken back to Zimbabwe. What comes next will be a flood gate of Zimbabweans being sent home to use the skills they have acquired abroad. The government of Britain said on Thursday that Britain is putting together an unspecified package of support for Zimbabwe tied with progress on political and economic reform. So it is obvious that Zimbabwe will play it safe and cool in order to grab the aid which is much needed. The aid will come with thousands of those in diaspora. In the House of Lords deputy leader of the house Lord Howe said "As Zimbabwe's oldest friend we will do all we can to support a legitimate government to rebuild the country, working with international and regional partners.". This statement spells doom to over 300,000 Zimbabweans living in Britain.
In short the changes in Zimbabwe have left the diaspora in sixes and sevens. Their future abroad is not certain and those with unfinished cases might find themselves on the next flight home. After all home is best. Indeed it is best.
VAZET2000@YAHOO.CO.UK
Source - Dr Masimba Mavaza
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