Unremakably Unstable

In between the on-going events in Syria, the hoo-ha in Mali and the Prime Minister flying out to Algeria to deal with the aftermath of the hostage crisis, I wouldn’t be surprised if this particular news story passed you by.

According to the Zimbabwean finance minister, Tendai Biti, for a brief period between paying its public servants and receiving an influx of revenue, the former British colony had a mere $217 left in its coffers. That’s a mere £138. I’m a student and I have more than that.

The reason I would not be surprised if you didn’t hear about that story is that Zimbabwe does not get very high profile coverage in the news. This is despite the rampant corruption, and violent incompetence of long term President Robert Mugabe. The reason that Zimbabwe doesn’t get much coverage? Because for a country permanently on the edge of collapse, to the rest of the world it seems relatively stable.

Even at the point where Zimbabwe was going through a period of German style hyperinflation, and people were taking home wages in wheelbarrows, there was never the type of violent revolution that would have swept other countries in similar situations. This may have something to do with the stranglehold that Mugabe has over the country, but even so, the lack of relative instability, even in the direst of  circumstances, is something to wonder at.

It has long been a personal opinion of mine that something should be done about the situation in Zimbabwe, but it is unlikely that any politician would be willing to get involved in yet another swampy African conflict, even disregarding the fact that getting forces there would be nigh on impossible. Britain especially is unlikely to get itself involved in a conflict in Zimbabwe, unless Mugabe actively began shooting civilians live on television. The spectre of ancient colonialism looms large and the scars of it run even deeper.

According to friends of mine in Zim however, it is not the current political situation that worries people, but what happens after Mugabe eventually either steps down or dies. If a member of the ruling Zanu-PF party takes power after him things could go from bad to worse. Right now Zimbabwe is experiencing the dictionary definition of “better the devil you know” and no one is particularly keen for that situation to end any time soon.

As mentioned above, I have my own opinions regarding Zimbabwe, mostly to do with having a personal connection with the country. I long for someone to sit up and realise that now is the time to do something about bringing real democracy to the place. However I understand as well all the reasons why it can never happen, or at least won’t happen for a while. But every time I hear a news story such as the one that prompted this article I do find myself wondering if those reasons – however valid they maybe – should be set aside, and something actually done, to help the people of Zimbabwe.