ZIMBABWE’S UN SECURITY COUNCIL DREAM: WHY IT’S A FAR-FETCHED FANTASY

I was surprised when Vice President Chiwenga, who is often unwell, wrote a book about hypocrisy. Why was I surprised? Zimbabwe, a small country, smaller than California, wants a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). It believes this denial is hypocritical. Am I unpatriotic for being surprised? No. I am more patriotic than anyone in Zanu PF, but above all, I am realistic. Zimbabwe has no business getting a seat in the UNSC.

According to the flawed book, which no sane person should spend money and time on, the system is unfair because no African country is a permanent member of the UNSC. To seem legitimate, Zanu PF ropes in other African states and claims they all suffer from the hypocrisy of the exclusionary UNSC. Zanu PF feels victimized and believes the general populace feels the same way. This party thinks it deserves power because of its liberation credentials. It claims it paid the ultimate sacrifice, so it should cling to power. Why should the allied victors of World War II be considered hypocrites when they made greater sacrifices than Zanu PF? Zanu PF is just getting a taste of its own medicine on a global scale, using persecution, lawfare, abductions, and coercion against smaller parties at home.

The UNSC earned its seats justifiably. It maintains peace and stability despite some ineffectiveness. How can a delusional Zanu PF, even if given a seat, contribute to peace and stability if it can’t foster peace at home? Zanu PF doesn’t understand international dynamics, as shown by its futile lobbying for lifting US sanctions. Why should a state led by delusional sadists, without real liberation credentials, lacking an understanding of international relations, and unable to maintain peace at home, get a seat in the UNSC? Zanu PF’s exclusionary mentality, sidelining alternative voices and participatory governance, means it has no moral standing to accuse the UNSC of hypocrisy.

If you look at Zanu PF’s track record in SADC and the African Union, you wouldn’t be surprised why Zimbabwe or any African state is not part of the P5 or permanent members of the UNSC. Zimbabwe has played no stabilization role in the region, either in Mozambique or continentally in West and East Africa. If it can’t help stabilize its neighbor Mozambique, why would it be trusted to stabilize the Middle East? Zanu PF’s failure to stabilize stems from a lack of political will and military weakness due to sanctions it sought through human rights violations and inequality before the law. This shows why Zanu PF’s candidacy in the UNSC is ineffective.

The Vice President’s book is shallow and lacks any tangible benefits Zimbabwe would get from UNSC membership. It doesn’t state what Zimbabwe loses by not being a member. Instead, it loudly complains about hypocrisy, a double dose of what it gives to the opposition. Would you blame the UN for not giving a seat to a country that wants to use it for ulterior motives?

Another issue is that Zimbabwe is not part of BRICS, an alternative to the UNSC. Despite China being a close ally, Zimbabwe is excluded. This shows that while Zanu PF writes books about victimhood, other states take concrete steps to address UNSC inequality. Zanu PF does nothing to address hypocrisy; writing a book doesn’t count.

In January 2021, Zanu PF had its voting rights in the UN General Assembly rescinded due to financial arrears. All the states with suspended voting rights were among the most oppressive, corrupt regimes. Zanu PF failed to honor its financial obligations to the UN, showing its impotence in seeking a permanent seat in the UNSC. This is not hypocrisy from the UNSC but from Zanu PF projecting its victimhood status.

Unless Zanu PF changes its entitlement mentality, stops centralizing power, promotes transparency and accountability, fosters participatory governance, and develops military capabilities to be a stabilizing force, it has no business getting a permanent seat in the UNSC. Real patriots don’t seek medical treatment abroad or plunder national revenues. They leave power to the competent true patriots.