Shattered Illusions in Zimbabwe
[Morgan Tsvangirai, seated, and Robert Mugabe when it seemed an agreement might be at hand. Times of London.]
In a move that should surprise absolutely no one, the Zimbabwe negotiations have fallen apart and just about all of the blame belongs on the shoulders of Robert Mugabe. It was only a matter of time. The world had largely turned its focus away from Zimbabwe and Thabo Mbeki’s resignation in South Africa provided its own distractions. Mugabe has almost certainly never been committed to reconciliation and has likely been biding his time until he could seize control again. Perhaps the principals will find a way back to the negotiating tables, but the odds of a true power-sharing agreement coming to pass seem long.