The "Treasonable Conduct" Of 37 Years

Yesterday Zimbabwe's ruling ZANU-PF party described the head of Zimbabwe's National Army, General Constantino Chiwenga, as carrying out "treasonable conduct". Ironic then, how accurately this describes ZANU-PF itself and its leader, Robert Mugabe and his rule of Zimbabwe over the past 37 years.

President Robert Mugabe has led a regime that acquiesces to disorder. Whether it has been through the illegal seizure of farmland almost two decades ago or the resulting economic catastrophe and nationalism, which saw the failure of crops, the rising of inflation to 89.7 sextillian % (thats 89,700,000,000,000,000,000,000%), the abandonment of the Zimbabwean dollar and most tragically; the deaths of thousands with the collapse of health services.

Mr Mugabe has lead the country without an acceptance of full democracy and the clear suppression of free speech. His iron grip and divisive rule built on intimidation and patronage may have maintained him for a while but have undoubtedly sown the seeds of discontent. This is being made crystal clear most recently, and it is with great sadness that the currently developing events should come as no surprise.

As Nelson Mandela said, 'to deny people their human rights is to deny them their humanity'. Mugabe has built a society that encompasses this denial as people have looked elsewhere to survive. This coup comes as a result of the way Robert Mugabe has ruled, and in a more direct sense through the power and importance he has placed on the military, whilst his people have starved. Those he supported are now back to bite. On his watch this country has been taken to a very dangerous place.

The birthplace of my mother, and a country I once called home now faces a stark choice. Either a path to democracy and a future of hope will be forged or that of conflict and fear will persist and exacerbate with or without the strongman that is Robert Mugabe.

Zimbabwe is a nation of peace. Let us hope it holds to this as it navigates the tough times ahead and that the future is brighter than the dark waters that have preceded it.