Zimbabwe’s “Unity” Government Not Working

The deadlock between the power-sharing government of Zimbabwe seems like it will never end. Long time President, Robert Mugabe and head of the Zanu-PF political party seem not able to put differences aside with his Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the MDC. Both sides have complaints against the other, while nothing is being resolved or compromised.

Former South African Police Chief Pleads Not Guilty

Senior member of the ruling African National Congress pleaded says he’s not guilty in the first day of his corruption trial.  Jackie Selebi, former Interpol president is being charged with having links to organized crime and accepting bribes worth 1.2m rand ($157,000).

During the case at Johannesburg’s High Court, prosecutors will seek to prove that Mr Selebi, 58, received corrupt payments over a five-year period.  At the heart of the allegations is Mr Selebi’s relationship with convicted drug smuggler, Glen Agliotti, who is also accused of links to the murder of a prominent mining magnate.

Jackie Selebi’s relations with former South African President Thabo Mbeki has also called for concern that the ousted president protected Selebi when corruption charges originally were filed while Mbeki was still president.  Mbeki was finally forced to place Selebi on leave as police chief because of the allegations.

Mr. Zuma,  South Africa’s new president – who had graft charges against him dropped on technical grounds shortly before he became head of state – has promised to make a priority of fighting corruption, a major issue in the country.

But Monday’s defence statement suggests the trial could become a sounding board for allegations reaching towards the highest levels of the ruling party.

Obama meets with Tsvangirai

Zimbabwe Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai has been traveling virtually the world for the last two months.  His focus has been to talk with leaders and assure them that investing in Zimbabwe is much needed even if it is just for the survival of his people. 

Being a Leader in South Africa

South Africa is buzzing about newly elected President Jacob Zuma.  Many country men claim that Zuma is the first real South African leader the country has had.  Many are quick to add that past presidents – Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki – either came from royalty or were educated abroad unlike Zuma who in his words is a self-educated “farm boy”.  We have yet to find out the kind of leader Zuma will be and we got a glimpse of Mbeki with controversial support of Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe.  With political turmoil brewing between Mbeki and Zuma, Mbeki was forced to resign as President.  My mind wanders to what kind of President Nelson Mandela would have made if he were President longer than his 5 years.  I suppose I ask because I wonder how dictators arise in African countries.  Please understand I am not assuming or insinuating that Mandela would turn into a power hungry dictator, however, most dictators still in power today on the African continent did not set out to be ruthless.

Mandela, Mbeki, Zuma?

Some are skeptical of possible incoming South African President Jacob Zuma.  His somewhat lengthy list of corruption and rape charges were all dismissed just two weeks before elections.  Zuma has fought strenuously against all allegations stating that they stemmed from political foe and former South African President,  Thabo Mbeki.  Unfortunately, outside of African countries, most of us just hear of the corrupt leaders and the poor Africans they are oppressing.

Mbeki vs Tsvangiari?

Am I the only one who felt that former South African President Thabo Mbeki was on the side of Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe?  This latest stunt has pulled no punches for me as I fight to figure out why no one goes up against the dictator of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe.  Mbeki has been criticized for being too lenient with Mugabe, however he found his way into mediating a supposed power-sharing conference between the two leaders(Mugabe and Tsvangiari) which has ultimately failed.  Now, Tsvangiari has been denied leaving South Africa which many believe is in effort to force the MDC leader into signing a power sharing deal with Mugabe.  A deal which has been altered in favor of Mugabe.