Leadership Crisis

The statement has been made that Africa's leadership is like a lake a mile wide but only an inch deep. At a first reading, I as an African found this to be very disturbing, BUT the fact that it was made an African leader caused me to stop and consider that statement..

Following the unfolding events n Zimbabwe's four tiered election and the failure to publish the official results of the Presidential poll have made me give some more thought to that statement. The seeming reluctance of African leaders to take decisive action to bring about a resolution and prevent violence seems to lend come credence to the allegation that the 'depth' of our leadership is only 2,5cms.

With images from the Kenyan crisis fresh in our minds one would have thought the African leaders would have acted more decisively and sooner.. Yet they wait ! A two hour meeting extend into a marathon 12 hour meeting which culminates in a bland and just about meaningless official communique. How is it possible that the announcement of the results can be considered a true reflection of the peoples will when almost 3 weeks have elapsed since citizens cast their votes. The SADC heads of state are not ignorant of what is happening in Zimbabwe. Some have their countries flooded with Zimbabweans attempting to stay their illegally.. Zimbabweans flood neighbouring SADC states to purchase essential foodstuff and medical supplies..

What then is the definition of crisis according to SADC leaders ?? It would seem that hyperinflation, oppression of it's citizens, muzzling of the media, mass exodus of citizens many claiming refugee status to name just a few current Zimbabwean realities are not indicative of a crisis. Perhaps the mass chaos, looting and deaths of citizens, as recently witnessed in Kenya is the definition of crisis.. To out it another way - until there's blood in the street there is no crisis. There is only a crisis when people are being killed for no apparent reason except that they support a particular political party. It appears our leaders are reactive rather than proactive. How else does one explain their actions after a marathon 12 hour meeting. Isn't it strange that at this emergency meeting (held in the absence of official presidential results) there are calls for all to accept the results as announced, and to be ready to go for a second round run off ? There is a call for official results to be released BUT all the talk seems to indicate that the results were known !! Who told the SADC leaders what the results were ? Perhaps somebody counted the results from the figures posted on the doors of the polling stations and made them available (albeit unofficially) to them. Perhaps ?

So Zimbabwe limps on, its people suffer a leadership vacuum, the uncertainty of the future and the leaders on whom the responsibility for leadership, direction and vision is vested dilly dally and waffle on.

Now we are made to believe that somehow the opposition rigged the elections.. BUT didn't the SADC team give the run up to the election and the election a clean bill of health. Well if it was so credible blah blah blah, why then has SADC not taken the same kind of bold stance to demand the release of the results that they declared as being credible.. Could it be that SADC really did not expect the opposition to do so well ? Could it be that they were aware of how grossly lopsided and skewed the political playing field really was and that there really was no way the opposition could win ? And then the unthinkable takes place- The opposition appear to have had a significant win !! Suddenly not only is ZANU(PF) and ZEC stunned But so too are SADC and they did not know what to do.

The official communique from the emergency SADC summit came as no surprise, sadly it leaves one wondering at what will be the outcome of these momentous elections in the next few weeks, and it appears that, with the blessing of SADC, the ruling authorities in Zimbabwe will fiddle the books, in all likelihood call for a second round re-run of the presidential poll, re-count ZANU(PF) into a parliamentary majority and remain the govt of the day.

The horrible thought is this - WHAT then will be the future of Zimbabwe under the leadership of a regime that has increasingly shown itself incapable of dealing with the problems in Zimbabwe that have really been created, for the most part, by itself !!

Unless God works a miracle in Zimbabwe the outlook is very very grim and dark. I have committed myself to pray for the miracle.. I invite you to join me in this strategic assignment.