A new solution for Zimbabwe

Let me at the outset acknowledge that the political problem in Zimbabwe is very, very complicated indeed. Many organizations and people of influence have been and are busy toying with ideas about how best to resolve this problem so that there can be political and economic stability in that country. The power-sharing idea was a good one and it seemed to work for a while. However I suspect that if one were to examine the details of the principles of the power-sharing deal more closely they would reveal that the deal was doomed from the start. I say this because I truly believe that in order for any deal to succeed in Zimbabwe the deal must be based on resolving the real dilemma. The dilemma is that on the one hand President Mugabe, through the courts continues to press charges against opposition members and leaders. On the other hand President Mugabe himself must surely be fearful of the threat of prosecution of himself and ZANU-PF members by future governments.

Let me therefore offer a very simple and yet not entirely original solution to the people of Zimbabwe. The ZANU-PF led government to drop all criminal and civil charges against all MDC and other opposition party members and offer unconditional immunity against prosecution for all related past offences. This immunity must also extend to members of ZANU-PF including President Mugabe himself. I strongly believe that the threat of prosecution of ZANU-PF members by future governments, especially governments led by current oppositions parties, is partly what is motivating President Mugabe to stay in power. Remove this threat and perhaps President Mugabe and his people will see the political problem in Zimbabwe differently, President Mugabe might instead find motivation in ending the instability and put the citizens of Zimbabwe first.