African Blog Review – July 23, 2008

Africa is a Country tries to enjoy this rare moment of hope in Zimbabwe in spite of the myriad of questions surrounding the agreement:
“Of course, South African President Thabo Mbeki (and what’s left of his supporters and defenders) will claim that his policy of “quiet diplomacy” worked. That is if you don’t count the eight years of state violence on the part of Mr. Mugabe’s regime. On that last point, the reaction of the army and police (who both act like the private army of the ruling ZANU-PF party) will be interesting… There’s also the question of violence and the issue of Mr. Mugabe’s legitimacy: After Mr. Tsvangirai won a March 29 presidential election, the Zimbabwean government held back the result for a month, said the opposition had not won by a large enough margin and called a new election. Having terrorized the opposition supporters to the point where Mr. Tsvangirai felt compelled to withdraw at the last minute, Mr. Mugabe went ahead and ran against himself and declared himself President for another 5 year term. As the BBC reports, today’s agreement “…document does not address the central issue of Mr. Mugabe’s future or go into the details of a possible power-sharing arrangement.”
But let’s enjoy the moment.”

Thinking Aloud is not that charitable, and argues that the deal between Mugabe and Tsvangirai has weakened the foundations of democracy in Africa:
“… I am troubled by the sight of Robert Mugabe smiling, signaling that he has managed to salvage a victory from the jaws of public defeat. I am disturbed by the fact that losers in a democratic battle have turned into victors, sharing the spoils of victory that is not rightfully theirs…

A Government of National Unity is a compromise that has to be agreed by two parties willingly, not in the way that it has been forced down the throat of Tsvangarai! I feel sorry for the MDC and the majority of the people of Zimbabwe, like a defeated customer, they have to live with a “wrong order”…

With all due respect to Koffi Annan and President Mbeki, we have weakened our determination to instill the values of freedom and democracy in Africa. Our desperate need to seek peace at the expense of freedom has sent a message to the rest of would-be dictators that the gun always guarantees victory in Africa. Refusal to step down and handover power to the masses that peacefully choose a preferred leader can land one a safe future. Undermining the will of the people still guarantees a future! We have failed future generations in this way, we have weakened the foundations of democracy, and we have further violated and defiled the sanctity of the ballot! The warlords continue to rule!”

Daniel Molokele
This is a view shared by Daniel Molokele who publishes a scathing commentary from the Telegraph newspaper describing the agreement as a blow for democracy in Africa:
“Scores of his supporters have been murdered and thousands tortured in the cause of ridding Zimbabwe of President Robert Mugabe, yet Morgan Tsvangirai, once the opposition leader, had no shame in shaking the old dictator's hand… Less than two weeks ago, Mr. Mugabe was threatened with a United Nations Resolution that would have subjected him to a global travel ban and asset freeze.
If he reaches a deal with his opponents, Mr. Mugabe will vault from pariah to elder statesman, certainly among his African neighbours…
If so, Mr. Tsvangirai and his followers will be compensated with cabinet jobs, official residences and smart cars. Mr. Mugabe will ensure, however, that real power rests with him.
President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa will claim vindication for his long years of diplomacy, much derided by Britain and his legions of critics…
Everyone will be in the government, whether they won or lost the election. The people's verdict will be ignored.
For as long as that outcome is tolerated, democracy in Africa is lost.”

Scarlett Lion
Moving on to other topics, Scarlett Lion laments about an absence of political blogs in the Ugandan blogosphere:

“The Ugandan blogosphere is vibrant - lots of blogs, lots of ideas, lots of contributors, lots of words, lots of posts, lots of comments. But where have all the political blogs gone?...

Or were political blogs never there in the first place? There's plenty of thoughts on boda bodas, Big Brother Africa, the bad weather Kampala's been having lately, being broke, and other aspects of life in Uganda that certainly aren't apolitical, but they aren't exactly government budgets and school fires either…

Though I love the window into people's lives, it's not the kind of citizen media stuff that I find exciting - the kind that fills the gap between what the newspapers are saying and what people are really thinking...
I want to know what people think about the structures that affect their lives, but I'm wondering if maybe the internet in Uganda is not the space to express them? Though there's not a very heavy hand of government involved in internet censorship, maybe self censorship is so strong the government doesn't have to be heavy handed?”

Which Way Nigeria comments on the announced visit of Manchester United football club to Nigeria, which it sees a clear case of misplaced priorities for Nigeria:

“The Business Eye Magazine of June 16-22 2008, led with the story of the upcoming ManU’s visit to Nigeria. This visit according to the magazine is estimated to cost the good people of Nigeria 2 billion Naira… This 2 billion earmarked for wastage, can be invested in our local league, upgrade our stadia and generally give sports a boost. It grieves me that Kanu is involved in this wasteful circus. Imagine the number of Nigerian children with heart problems this 2 billion Naira can bring smiles to. The money voted for this ManU basking in the sun can be used to alleviate the suffering of primary school students who have been on forced holiday because of teachers’ strike.

Don’t tell me this jamboree for English men hibernating for next season is a tourist show. What does Nigeria stand to gain from this charade? Are they coming here to establish a football academy? The Federal government just took a loan of N40 billion from World Bank to rehabilitate roads, yet we are wasting this much to watch 12 adults fooling around with an inflated balloon.
Nigerians complain about the amount of money spent on football at the detriment of other sports, yet a day light robbery is taking place and nobody seems to care.”

[email protected] or comment online at www.pambazuka.org/