THE FALL OF TYRANTS: A TALE OF TWO NATIONS
In less than three years, Mali experienced a dramatic double coup, drawing attention to the fragile nature of power in some African states. However, the narrative of military coups and the struggle for power is not unique to Mali alone; it echoes across continents, resonating with a similar situation in Zimbabwe. The connection between these two seemingly disparate situations lies in the influence of power and the preference for a tyrannical political system, epitomized by Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu pf.
Zimbabwe and Mali, though geographically distant, share the commonality of being ensnared by the machinations of power-hungry leaders and parties that have blurred the lines between the state and tyrannical rule. Zimbabwe’s Zanu pf, under the leadership of Emmerson Mnangagwa and his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, demonstrates the catastrophic consequences of conflating party with state, leading to a cycle of oppression, personalization of power, and ultimately, military coups.
The narrative of Zanu pf is a harrowing tale of tyranny, personalization of power, and internal factionalism, laying the groundwork for inevitable political upheaval. Mugabe’s era was marked by the centralization of power, grooming a potential successor within his own family, thereby setting the stage for Mnangagwa’s rise and the perpetuation of a personalized one-party state. This strategy, aimed at evading accountability and transparency, has been a hallmark of Zanu pf’s governance, leading to widespread disenchantment and the setting of a volatile stage ripe for military intervention.
Mnangagwa’s ascension to power did little to change the course of Zimbabwe’s political narrative. The undercurrents of factionalism within Zanu pf, spurred by the ambitions of securocrats and the military elite, have made a military coup not a question of if, but when. Figures like Chiwenga and Sibanda, with their deep military roots and political ambitions, represent a direct challenge to Mnangagwa’s grip on power. Their impatience for change, coupled with a desire to protect their wealth and evade accountability for past human rights violations, mirrors the conditions that led to the coups in Mali.
Furthermore, Mnangagwa’s unconstitutional moves, such as extending the tenure of key judicial figures, signal a desperate cling to power, reminiscent of Mugabe’s tactics. These actions not only exacerbate internal tensions within Zanu pf but also alienate the broader populace, setting the stage for public uprising and potential military intervention.
The inevitable public uprising against Zanu pf’s self-enrichment, exemplified by scandals such as Draxgate, underscores the deep-seated corruption and the plundering of national wealth. The Arab Spring and the ousting of Sudan’s Bashir highlight the transformative power of popular movements, a lesson not lost on Zimbabweans. The military, deeply entrenched in the country’s political and economic fabric, faces a dilemma: support the status quo and risk public ire or intervene to preserve their interests and avoid accountability.
Zimbabwe’s political saga, much like Mali’s, is a cautionary tale of the dangers of conflating party with state, personalizing power, and ignoring the will of the people. The inevitability of Mnangagwa’s fall, precipitated by internal factionalism, public discontent, and the looming shadow of military intervention, serves as a stark reminder of the cyclical nature of tyranny and the quest for democracy. As Zimbabwe stands at the crossroads, the lessons from Mali and the Arab Spring resonate, offering hope for a future where power is reclaimed by the people, for the people.
