Repost on situation in Zimbabwe
|
|
Well, ZANU PF had their vote (despite the fact Mugabe was the only name on the ballot) and have today declared Mugabe as President for another six years.
Here is an exchange from earlier - apologies to Jennifer for not asking her permission first, but no way to PM. Everybody is welcome - encouraged - to contribute their thoughts.
What to do about Zanu/PF? Reply
By Hollywood Today at 8:42 am EDT
Any practical solutions?
Re: What to do about Zanu/PF? Reply
By jenniforhillary Today at 9:11 am EDT
United Nations needs to pump up punishments for this behavior....
what do you think?
It's tricky Reply
By Hollywood Today at 12:27 pm EDT
Because international sanctions won't do anything (see: Iraq), there will be no invasion/intermediary forces because nobody has the will (see: Rwanda), we could kick them out of the UN (to no avail; they've already been thrown out of the Commonwealth).
There is one practical solution, but unsure whether it would work. You are probably aware that Zanu PF used the section of the Zimbabwean constitution relating to elections to force the run-off. The Zimbabwean constition also includes a Bill of Rights (Section III) which has been breached by Zanu PF. In addition, Mugabe can be impeached under Section 29, part 3 (a, b or c - take your pick). The same provisions apply to Zimbabwe's Vice Presidents, the House Speaker and pretty much everybody in the cabinet. If they are all found to have contravened the Constitution, they would be passed over for a coalition of the opposition parties with a temporary presidential order, and then new elections would be called (with Zanu out of power).
International lawyers can help Zimbabwean lawyers take a case to the court for the overthrow of the Mugabe regime.
What else does Zanu have? The military. Unlike the Thai military, the Zimbabwean military is firmly in the pockets of Zanu PF and will not oppose the Mugabe regime...unless...
A very large bounty is put on the heads of Mugabe and about 9 other Zanu ministers. These guys are corrupt, but the majority are just following government orders. Most of them would probably as happily become anti-government mercenaries as wait it out, then be brought up on war crimes charges once the regime is eventually ousted or works out some sort of immunity deal for themselves and steps aside. Because when they go, they are going to use the military as scapegoats.
The post mortem conviction of Milosevich was rare. The ICC has difficulty trying heads of state and government officials because evidence as to their complicity in crimes against humanity is scarce. Therefore, the Hague tends to try the actual murderers.
There must be some in the Zimbabwean military who do not like what the regime is doing. We should do whatever we can to support them in a coup, or alternatively educate them about what usually happens when genocidal regimes fall. They will be the patsies, and the politicians who ordered them to do what they did will get off lightly.
Here is an exchange from earlier - apologies to Jennifer for not asking her permission first, but no way to PM. Everybody is welcome - encouraged - to contribute their thoughts.
What to do about Zanu/PF? Reply
By Hollywood Today at 8:42 am EDT
Any practical solutions?
Re: What to do about Zanu/PF? Reply
By jenniforhillary Today at 9:11 am EDT
United Nations needs to pump up punishments for this behavior....
what do you think?
It's tricky Reply
By Hollywood Today at 12:27 pm EDT
Because international sanctions won't do anything (see: Iraq), there will be no invasion/intermediary forces because nobody has the will (see: Rwanda), we could kick them out of the UN (to no avail; they've already been thrown out of the Commonwealth).
There is one practical solution, but unsure whether it would work. You are probably aware that Zanu PF used the section of the Zimbabwean constitution relating to elections to force the run-off. The Zimbabwean constition also includes a Bill of Rights (Section III) which has been breached by Zanu PF. In addition, Mugabe can be impeached under Section 29, part 3 (a, b or c - take your pick). The same provisions apply to Zimbabwe's Vice Presidents, the House Speaker and pretty much everybody in the cabinet. If they are all found to have contravened the Constitution, they would be passed over for a coalition of the opposition parties with a temporary presidential order, and then new elections would be called (with Zanu out of power).
International lawyers can help Zimbabwean lawyers take a case to the court for the overthrow of the Mugabe regime.
What else does Zanu have? The military. Unlike the Thai military, the Zimbabwean military is firmly in the pockets of Zanu PF and will not oppose the Mugabe regime...unless...
A very large bounty is put on the heads of Mugabe and about 9 other Zanu ministers. These guys are corrupt, but the majority are just following government orders. Most of them would probably as happily become anti-government mercenaries as wait it out, then be brought up on war crimes charges once the regime is eventually ousted or works out some sort of immunity deal for themselves and steps aside. Because when they go, they are going to use the military as scapegoats.
The post mortem conviction of Milosevich was rare. The ICC has difficulty trying heads of state and government officials because evidence as to their complicity in crimes against humanity is scarce. Therefore, the Hague tends to try the actual murderers.
There must be some in the Zimbabwean military who do not like what the regime is doing. We should do whatever we can to support them in a coup, or alternatively educate them about what usually happens when genocidal regimes fall. They will be the patsies, and the politicians who ordered them to do what they did will get off lightly.
