AFRICAN PANORAMA
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The Election Cycle in Zimbabwe concluded
three weeks ago. In a stunning result the
Opposition MDC (Movement for Democratic Change)
Stunned most observers by winning a majority in
the lower house of Parliament. The Senate which is
the upper house is split evenly as well. Meanwhile
the country has yet to hear who will be President of
Zimbabwe.
The internal situation in Zimbabwe is in a state
of flux. It appears that the ruling ZANU-PF has lost
the Election. That could by the reason why they are
holding back the results in the Presidential race. There is also a selected recount in twenty-three districts as well. This Act could be seen as an attempt to doctor the results for a Government Victory. It is amazing what steps one political party will take to remain in power no matter the circumstances.
Currently President Mugabe is receiving some key "support" from a longstanding ally. This ally has been a crucial source of support for President Mugabe since the Liberation War. At first glance one will assume that I am Referring to President Mbeki of South Africa, however I'm not. That's right, I referring to the People's Republic of China.
Beijing and North Korea provided key financial and military support to Mugabe before 1980, so is anyone really surprised that they would stand by Mugabe now? There have been two main decisions made by the Chinese that offer support for their ally but has thrown the rest of Southern Africa into turmoil.
First of all, there are persistent reports that Chinese Special Forces are active in Zimbabwe. This is not the first time that foreign troops have actively conducted patrols in Zimbabwe after an election. There were thousands of Angolan Troops patrolling the country after the violent 2005 elections. Also, there are reports that they are on the ground in Mutare. This report has been duly denied by the Chinese Embassy in Harare.
The Second item is about massive Arms Shipment that arrived in Durban earlier this week. This shipment which included Rocket-Propell Grenades, Rifles, Mortars and over three million rounds of Ammunitions destined for Zimbabwe. In a surprise move, Dock Workers in Durban refused to unload the An Yue Jiang to protest the South African Government's interaction regarding the Zimbabwe Crisis. Also A Court in Durban ruled that the Munitions aboard the ship could not be transported to Zimbabwe overland. The vessel has since left Durban and is expected to dock in Mozambique to unload its deadly cargo.
Over the last few years China has sought to have influence in Africa. Sadly it has backed the wrong governments in some cases. During the Olympic Torch Relay Protests, one of the reasons given for the protests was about the Chinese policy of backing Sudan while the situation in Darfur continues to deteriorate. Now Beijing appears to be propping up a leader of a State that could be on its Death Throes. Is it a case of misplaced loyalty or is it creating a colony?
MUGABE RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM AN OLD ALLY...
Robert Mugabe/President of Zimbabwe
By Scott A Morgan
Published April 21, 2008
