Caught in a very bad space, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s decision to withdraw his presidential election challenge was the right thing to do.
The Standard Editorial
It is common knowledge that the July 31 election result is disputed and there are many strong reasons to support this. But there are also many good reasons why the result should be accepted and let the country move into the next phase.
Zimbabwe has been in intensified political crisis for the past 13 years. This is too long a time for a people to be living in an indeterminate state in a country with so much promise.
Tsvangirai and his cohort must not feel ashamed of their decision; they have fought the good fight but unfortunately, the good fight does not always end in victory.
Now the country waits with bated breath for tell-tale signs of how President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF are going to govern. Many hope the next five years may have lots of good surprises.
They think because it is definitely his last term, Mugabe may behave out of character and rule well to seal his legacy. This kind of thinking is not too far-fetched; he would not wish to leave office with the burden of guilt that he destroyed a great country.
It would not be surprising if the next few years see accelerated development based on the proper and transparent exploitation and marketing of the country’s mineral wealth and other resources.
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Although relations with the West are likely to remain frosty, investment in Zimbabwe just might be spurred by close relations with the Brics countries.
After the triumphalism that will mark his swearing in ceremony, it wouldn’t be surprising if Mugabe begins to soften his hard-line stance towards the European Union and even the United States.
The West itself would be advised to respond by ditching their vindictiveness and embrace some kind of rapprochement that will end in a win-win situation.
The Zimbabwean political crisis is hardly over but enters a phase which demands pragmatism and tact rather than confrontation and strife. With the right check and balances, all isn’t entirely lost.
