United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has emerged as the new hope to resolve the hitherto intractable Zimbabwean political and economic impasse.
After numerous failed diplomatic attempts to have Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe vacate his seat, Annan is expected to bring a political deal to Harare later this year.
President Thabo Mbeki revealed this week in an interview with the Financial Times in London that Annan will be visiting Harare later this year to broker a political settlement, which seeks to “turn around the economy” and “normalise relations [between Zimbabwe] and rest of the world”.
The intricacies of the deal have been revealed to the Mail & Guardian by insiders within the ruling Zanu-PF. They say that Mugabe will welcome Annan, although he has “reservations about a number of things”.
Mugabe extended an invitation to the UN secretary general last year, but no date has yet been fixed.
“It is possible that [Annan] will achieve something,” said Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change’s secretary for international relations. “But he needs to have the backing of the international community.
“Mugabe’s options are limited. There is pressure from within his party, out of his party and in the international community,” he said.
A Zanu-PF official from the Information Department told the M&G that Mugabe has been wary of Annan since he was first appointed secretary general.
“He suspects Annan was catapulted by the United States administration ahead of Africa’s favourite [for the position], Boutros Boutros-Ghali,” said the official.
“As such, he doesn’t believe he is his own man. Is he coming to Harare as an active disciple of United States or British interests? Or is it as Annan, the African out to defend his African brother?” This, said the official, was the general “feeling within the corridors of Zanu-PF”.
Annan has diplomatically questioned Mugabe’s statesmanship at various international forums. He has referred to human rights violations as a curse and has said that African leaders should resist blaming colonialists for their problems — something that Mugabe is quick to do.
Mugabe has blamed the economic meltdown in his country on Britain, which he believes is mobilising the international community to isolate Zimbabwe, and he has repeatedly attacked British Prime Minister Tony Blair for reneging on his promise to finance land reform.
Annan and Mbeki are said to be considering offering Mugabe an exit package and immunity from prosecution in return for allowing free and fair elections, the scrapping of controversial media laws, and ensuring respect for property rights.
Zanu-PF insiders told the M&G that mediations have been on-going since Annan’s meeting with Mbeki in Pretoria earlier this year.
Officials in the Foreign Affairs Ministry said that Mbeki had sent envoys for a series of meetings with the Zimbabwe government and Zanu-PF officials about the latest settlement plan.
Meanwhile, Mugabe is coming under increasing pressure from within Zanu-PF for reform. Insiders say there is growing concern about corruption, and selective prosecution and protection of Zanu-PF party officials.
The growing tension within the party was heightened after indications that Mugabe “seemed to have thrown open” his succession plans. It seems he is no longer supporting Vice-President Joyce Mujuru and is keeping everyone guessing as to who will be his presidential candidate.