Exit Robert Mugabe, enter instability

“Only God can remove me from power.” Thus spoke Robert Mugabe in 2008, little realizing that he himself created a demi god called army. Ultimately the army ousted him from power after 37 years of his autocratic rule which led all round jubilation across capital Harare where thousands danced in relief and joy.

It was a dramatic exit for the Zimbabwe freedom mascot Mugabe who had led his country to freedom in 1980 from the British rule. Put under custody and served under impeachment notice from his own ruling party ZANU-FB, Mugabe ultimately bowed to the army and the ruling party clique demand to resign asthe president of Zimbabwe on November 23rd.

The era of 93 years old Mugabe comes to an end after 37 years of his rule. But it was Mugabe himself who wrote his obituary. The change in Zimbabwe has not come under people pressure. It is essentially the outcome of tussle within a power clique within the ruling establishment.

It was obvious that the 93 years old ailing Mugabe could go any time soon. Who would then succeed Mugabe? The out going Zimbabwe President started writing his own transition script himself. Instead of paving the way for his loyalist second in command and the country vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe fired him from the office on November 6. Mnangagwa, 7o --- a seasoned power player trained by none other Mugabe himself--- sensed the danger and fled to South Africa with the son. He thus secured himself first.

Mugabe now decided to arrest top military commander General Chiwenga who was travelling to China where his intelligence tipped him offf. As he returned, the police tried to arrest him. But he had already organised army guards to protect him who secured his exit.

It destroyed Mugabe’s plan to pave the way for the rise of his own wife Grace who once used to be his typist but wooed him to marry her while Mugabe’s first wife was on death bed. Ms, Grace, almost 30 years junior to Mugabe, managed to slowly firm her grip over the establishment, naturally with Mugabe’s consent. It annoyed both vice president Mnangagwa and army chief General Chiwenga who deftly played their cards and ultimately managed to force Mugabe to resign.

Thus came to an end Mugabe era in Zimbabwe. But will it really change the lives of common man in Zimbabwe who is pinning for a more democratic and free society? There seems to be little hope for the common man in Zimbabwe despite Mugabe’s ouster. Both Emmerson Mnangagwa and General Chiwenga are old players of Mugabe’s politics of repression. They would use the same tools of repression to keep the masses under their bondage.

But once the people take to streets, they are willing to go to a prison rather than giving up their freedom. So, Mugabe may have bowed. But people will have to continue fighting the system which may push Zimbabwe to a period of instability and anarchy which has been to fate of so many African countries despite winning freedom from colonialism.