The ‘Crocodile’ Goofs Badly

We hardly veer outside the country in our commentaries. Certain subjects though merit such efforts; the Zimbabwean development being one.

Ghanaians, literates and non-literates alike have never taken such an interest in a foreign issue as they did about Zimbabwe during the Southern African moments of political twists and turns. What arguably came close was the American polls.

The military's novelty, subtle coup, which they avoided labeling as such was so crafted that they confused the whole world as to exactly what was happening. Continuing to salute a nonagenarian they had dispossessed of power was indeed a subtle way of staging a coup but in the end it worked without spilling blood.

Today the man, Immerson Mnangagwa, whose dismissal by Robert Mugabe as his deputy started the beginning of the end of the anti-colonial war in Zimbabwe, as fate would have it, is going to be sworn in as President. By this action he is expected to serve the remaining term of Robert Mugabe which ends next year.

The people of this good-governance starved country were expectedly excited as they have never done before when it eventually became clear that Robert Mugabe has exited the helm of power.

A few persons warned though that the excitement should be measured especially since the future of politics could not be immediately determined. ZANU-PF has dominated the politics of Zimbabwe since independence in 1980 – the party always managing to manouvre its way to power.

It would appear that such fears are hinged on good reason. The man who is due to be sworn in today has given credence to the challenges that lie ahead.

He let out his template rather carelessly when he said that the Zimbabwean opposition would languish in their place for long describing their remarks as noise from dogs. Nothing could have been more ominous and heart-wrenching in a country whose people should ordinarily continue relishing the newfound freedom.

For a man who it would appear enjoys being described as a 'Crocodile' to be so reckless presupposes the uncharted waters the country has found herself in.

The South African Development Community and the African Union must assist the people of Zimbabwe to organize a credible election in which the will of the people shall triumph.

The two organizations should not wait for things to fall apart before considering sending troops to the troubled country especially since funding for such operations come from taxpayers' monies.

The soldiers should not be seen to be supportive of ZANU-PF but rather the constitution of Zimbabwe. It is the political system in that country that needs overhauling not the ouster of a lone man at the helm. When a country is troubled politically in Africa, the repercussions are far-reaching indirectly affecting the other countries on the continent. Our heads of state through the commitment of the member countries must get busy sharing their times with the search for stability and normalcy in troubled countries. The time to ensure that the Crocodile behaves politically well is now not when he is allowed to entrench himself and goes the way of Mugabe.

We hereby condemn in no uncertain terms his description of his opponents as dogs. The people of Zimbabwe deserve better. If the ouster of his former boss does not offer him adequate lessons to conduct himself decently then the wrath of the people in the streets await him. Such reckless remarks would not endear him to the civilized world let alone attract the much needed economic support.