Opinion: Wonder if Ramaphosa will try to the Mbeki trick [or appointed the Special Envoys only to buy time]

A new crisis which leads to a similar game plan. In 2008-2009 there was a South African delegation lead by current time President Thabo Mbeki. Who had a diplomatic mission to mediate in Zimbabwe to solve the political crisis and stabilize the economy.

This week, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also the Chair President of the African Union have now appointed two Special Envoy to Zimbabwe after the recent human rights violations and crackdown on the civil society.

Last time, Mbeki did what he could to create a Unity Government between the ZANU-PF and MDC. This was to solve the stand-off after a rigged election. Mbeki in a way gave legitimacy and helped to give Mugabe a longer life in power. As the Unity Government for a while bought him time to reign longer without any consequences.

This time around, Ramaphosa might try to do the same. His sending other envoys in to fix the issues. However, his still implicated in it and we can wonder what is his game. ZANU-PF have already dismissed Mbeki in the presidency of Emmerson Mnangagwa. MDC-Alliance’s Nelson Chamisa haven’t accepted his negotiations either. So, there is no Unity Government on the agenda now.

I doubt that the opposition are willing to do the same. As the activists, journalists and civil society leaders are arbitrary arrested, abducted and politically prosecuted. Therefore, the will to bend to the regime might not be as strong this time around.

Secondly, Mnangagwa is using all his means to oppress the dissidents, the ones exposing him and the ones who dares to question his reign. This President ensures that people get arrested and charged for phony crimes, for example one citizen was arrested over annoying the President on WhatsApp.

Mbeki used his tricks and mediation skills, but ZANU-PF never lost their way. The regime persist with its violence against its own. Mnangagwa use armed forces against the citizens. That is apparently what he does and hopes to get away with.

I doubt Ramaphosa will have the powers or finesse to change the authorities in Zimbabwe. They are not willing to listen and they rather rebuke all forrms of criticism. They want to deny the violence and breaches of human rights. To stop the citizens from demonstrating and take away their civil liberties. That has all gone to the wind.

That Ramaphosa is sending Special Envoys to make a difference. Their mission either a sort of buying time for “peace”. If not maybe it will be in the same lane as the Inter-Burundian dialogue with late Benjamin Mpaka, who served the authorities and did dismiss its opposition. The final straw and ending of all is this. That this might be the sort of diplomatic charade buying the regime time. Mnangagwa would enjoy the perks of international community giving space and wiggle room, while Ramaphosa fetches the accredited diplomatic mission, which in the end will amount to nothing.

I really don’t know, but I doubt that these Special Envoys are the trick. The Military Government of ZANU-PF isn’t there to play, but to misbehave. They are there to silence and to secure power. These people will be nice for photo-ops, but will not drop any sort significant change. I am sure that SADC and AU is not willing carry this either. They only does this to stop the critics and to show some action. Even if it is a non-action with a loose mandate. A mandate can amount to nothing, other then having two more people on the payroll for a hot minute. Peace.

Ethiopia: Press Release on the Resumption of the Tripartite negotiation on the GERD (03.08.2020)

Ethiopia: Press release on the follow-up Extraordinary Meeting of the Bureau of the African Union Assembly on the GERD. (21.07.2020)

Ethiopia: Press Releaseon the Tripartite Negotiation on the GERD – The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (14.07.2020)

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC): OIC Calls for Resumption of Negotiations on GERD to Reach a Fair Agreement Preserving all Parties’ Interests (01.07.2020)

African Union (AU): Communique of the Extraordinary African Union (AU) Bureau of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government Video-Teleconference Meeting on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), 26 June 2020 (27.06.2020)

USA: Time for a UN Team of Experts to Investigate US Police Brutality and Ethnic Violence

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” – Matthew 7:11-12, New International Version

If it was any other nation, republic or place in the world. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other agencies would be preoccupied with finding people, experts and a level-headed chief, a former head of state to run an operation into the demise, the failure to follow human-rights and escalating violence from the state authorities. As the curfews, the reports of killings, hospitalization and so fourth is coming in.

In this manner, the Organization of American States (OAS) would intervene. Send a former Latin American President and collect a team of experts to investigate on behalf of the UNSC. They would have configured a mandate, there would have been sessions with UNSC and the voting would have mandatory. The state then had to comply and let these experts into the Republic to investigate the matters of misconduct, wrong-doing and ill attempts of human rights violating, which in some instances has been lethal and fatal.

In this regard, there would also been missions from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and Gulf States Cooperation Council (GCC). They would all participate somehow. With observers and people reporting directly from all across. Some taking the Mid-West, others taking the Southern States. Others focusing on the Eastern Coast and finally someone looking into the actions made on the West Coast. That would all make sense.

However, this is not happening. There is a few small condemnation statements, but that is about it. It is not typical, but shows a signs of hope. That the world is not having it. Nevertheless, the UNSC and the other organizations needs to gather strength and push this. If the US can to this others, then it should be done upon them as well. That is only fair and square.

The US has always piled pressure, put into sanctions and done everything possible in the book. They have used all means to undermine sovereignty and integrity of other nations. This been done with intent of pressuring the states to act differently towards it citizens. Also, to show moral superiority. However, now, the King is undressed. The facade and the whole showcase has gone ballistic.

The triggers are off and the sparking violence is on the screens. It is filmed by the citizens, the open marginalization and lack of systems towards the minorities and African American citizens are clear as day. The is no shadow of a doubt. The evils of the society in the United States is appearing right in-front of our eyes. It is not hidden and needs to be addressed. There is no better time than now.

It is time to hook-up a AU, ASEAN, GCC or OAS with a Team of Experts, enlighten the world, the UNSC and condemn the White House and Trump Administration constantly. Even try to sanction or embargo something. So, that the police officers cannot get tear-gas or riot gear. Something to shield the citizens from this havoc. They deserve better, the US has told this to everyone else.

Now the world has to tell you the same. Because, you isn’t any better. You use the same tools you say others shouldn’t. That is hypocrisy and that needs to be said. Peace.

African Nation Congress: The Statement of the ANC on Africa Day 2020 (25.05.2020)

African Union: Communique of the Bureau of the African Union (AU) Executive Council Teleconferance Meeting held on Thursday, 9 April 2020 (09.04.2020)

African Union: Communique of the African Union (AU) Bureau of Heads of State and Government Teleconference Meeting held on 3 April 2020 (03.04.2020)