It’s been hard to avoid the recent events surrounding Wikileaks and the leaking of confidential government data, of which we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Whilst I do not agree with the leaking of this information, as I believe it is kept secret for good reasons, it has made compelling reading especially with regards to American views towards Africa.
Former United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell is at the centre of the leaks with regards to Zimbabwe, which is unsurprising considernig his very open contempt for Robert Mugabe and his government. I haven’t had a chance yet to read the original leaks, purely because everytime I try Wikileaks gets moved to a different server. But there has been wide publicity in Zimbabwean and international press.
Andrew Meldrum, of whom most Zimbabwe watchers will be familiar with, gives an interesting account in the Global Post. In it, he describes how Dell is almost amazed at the longevity of Mugabe, how he as skillfully managed to remain in power despite the ruin he created for his country. Dell is also frank with his dissappointment with South Africa and its appeasement towards Mugabe, which he predicts will continue under president Zuma. He’s correct on that assessment so far.
The Zimbabwean briefly describes how America thinks Mugabe is ignorant of economics (you don’t have to be an diplomat to know that), that Tsvangirai is indecisive and Mutambara clever but a lightweight. American ambivalence towards Tsvangirai is disappointing but entirely justified. He is described as a good, honest man, but largely let down by those in the MDC with the exception of Biti.
The idea that these leaks are going to have a negative impact on American-Zimbabwean relations, and even lead to changes in policy, is unfounded. Nehanda Radio claims that these leaks are going to have an “impact on politics” in Zimbabwe, but does not describe exactly how this will happen. This is simply because there is nothing or great significance in these leaks, just some frank and honest correspondence from one diplomat to another.
American policy towards Zimbabwe has never been difficult to work out. It outright rejects Mugabe as the winner of the 2008 elections and has openly shown support to Tsvangirai and the MDC. The disappointment described by America of the MDC’s failure to make a real impact on the political situation in Zimbabwe are probably shared by the MDC.
These revelations will be soon forgotten, but do provide us with an interesting take on American policy, away from the usual polite diplomacy and smokescreens that accompany politics.
