The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique, two nations grappling with internal political turmoil, reflect a tale of contrasting crises with Zimbabwe at its nexus. The crisis in DRC, though distant, enticed the Zimbabwean government, led by Zanu Pf, into a murky military intervention. Conversely, the tumult in Mozambique, despite its proximity and direct threat to Zimbabwe’s security, sees an eerie silence from Harare’s corridors of power.
The Zimbabwean involvement in DRC was an ostentatious display of military might, under the guise of principled intervention. A whopping 10,000 troops were deployed costing a conservative estimate of 3 million USD monthly. Yet, the veil of secrecy shrouding this expedition, exacerbated by systemic media repression, hints at a deeper malaise. The Zanu Pf’s penchant for opacity raises eyebrows, prompting one to question the underlying motives.
The narrative spun by the Zanu Pf leadership for this costly venture was riddled with hollow justifications, aimed at appeasing an allegedly uninformed populace. The irony, however, lies in the glaring inconsistency of Zanu Pf’s stance towards the crisis in Mozambique. The same lofty principles cited for the intervention in DRC are conspicuously absent when it comes to Mozambique, despite the latter posing an immediate threat to Zimbabwean sovereignty.
A key figure bridging these contrasting interventions is Charamba, a government official during both epochs. His rationale for the DRC intervention echoed the sentiments of a “liberation principle.” Yet, this principle seemingly evaporates when the spectre of insurgency looms over Mozambique. The glaring discrepancy begs the question: why the selective principle adherence?
The root of this inconsistency, it appears, lies in the murky waters of self-enrichment politics that engulfs Zanu Pf. The intervention in DRC was laced with prospects of plundering rich natural resources, a lucrative venture for the political elite and military generals. Conversely, Mozambique, rich in oil and gas, presents a complex challenge, seemingly beyond the primitive grasp of Zanu Pf’s looting apparatus. The inability to exploit these resources dissuades any military foray into Mozambique, revealing a stark image of greed driving political decisions.
This narrative unveils a stark scenario where self-interest trumps national security and humanitarian considerations. The lack of support for Mozambique, amidst an escalating insurgency, not only threatens regional stability but also exposes the vulnerable underbelly of Zimbabwe, poised to be among the first casualties of this burgeoning crisis.
The sad reality is that Zanu Pf’s politics of greed and marginalisation provide a fertile ground for insurgency. The disenchanted youth, devoid of political power and economic opportunities, find solace in radical movements. This threatens to escalate the already dire humanitarian crisis, transitioning from state paralysis to an ultimate state failure, all underpinned by Zanu Pf’s insatiable greed.
In conclusion, the tale of these two crises illuminates the dark underbelly of Zanu Pf’s self-enrichment politics, underscoring a grim reality where greed supersedes principles, national security, and humanitarian concerns. The reluctance to intervene in Mozambique, despite the clear and present danger it poses to Zimbabwe, unveils a haunting narrative of a nation held hostage by the whims of a self-serving political elite.
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