In Support of Opposition
March 22nd, 2008One day, I’d like to do an empirical study of autocratic nations which have a significant democratic movement rise, become crushed by the government, and see how often that movement grows over time to overthrow its dictatorship. There’s a belief in some political circles that once freedom and liberalization are “on the march,” as George W. Bush famously puts it, it can not be stopped, only contained and only for the short-term. With that in mind, I believe that this is beautiful.
Zimbabwe’s opposition is trying to thwart plans by the regime of President Robert Mugabe to rig Saturday’s elections by offering cash rewards to anyone who comes forward with evidence. A website and postal address have been set up in the Hague promising $5,000 (£2,500) for the first 40 whistleblowers, a fortune in a country where inflation of 150,000% has reduced average salaries to the equivalent of £3 a month. Posters will go up this week advertising the rewards from an organisation called Zimbabwe Democracy Now. They warn: “It is illegal in Zimbabwe and anywhere else in the world for anyone to destroy, tamper with or try to hide election results.”
Among the offences listed are stuffing ballot boxes, voting in more than one station, bribing people with food, voting under orders from a superior and registering “ghost” or dead voters. “We will see who is rigging the vote this time,” the posters declare. “We will not let our dreams be stolen.” Travelling across Zimbabwe from the townships of Bulawayo to rural areas in Mugabe’s home province of Mashonaland West and businessmen’s haunts in Harare, I found that every person I spoke to was demanding change. Not one wanted the 84-year-old Mugabe to stay on after 27 years in power.
“Look at what has become of us,” said Promise, one of a huddle of four scrawny men selling firewood along the highway from Chegutu to Harare.
I dearly wish that the opposition can defeat Robert Mugabe and bring change to a part of the world in desperate need of it.