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Major Blow to Democracy and Free Elections: Russia and China Vetoed UN Resolution on Zimbabwe

5 comments

Posted by: Codrin Arsene on July 12, 2008 Under: Africa, China, Community Report, Politics & Policy, Russia, Zimbabwe



A Security Council draft resolution to impose severe sanctions on Zimbabwean president, Robert Mugabe, and some of his closest allies was just vetoed by Russia and China. Both powers have argued that such measures are not necessary. Rarely do super-powers veto resolutions. However, the fragrant difference of opinion between the “West” and the “East” is marking the beginning a new era in international relations. Also, by all means, the veto is a major blow to the United States and the United Kingdom who have been militating for severe sanctions against Robert Mugabe the one who ran unopposed in the last week’s “one-man election”. What are implications of such a vote?

  • It is the first time China and Russia are explicitly siding with controversial, widely contested political actor such as Robert Mugabe. Both countries made it clear that their protégées will not be harmed, not even by the UN. This is the most powerful statement ever made in the Security Council.
  • The two traditional powers, the US and the UK are finally facing the truth they have been predicting for a while: Chinese investment in Africa is harmful to democracy. It harms Africans not because of its own nature but because of the politics behind the economic agreements. While both the US and the UK have been focusing on the war in Iraq, China has been slowly taking over the African markets. The pro-Mugabe vote today is China’s way of saying “you will not take what I earned of my own”, which is the so direly needed access to African natural resources. Hopefully, at least now, American and British policymakers will realize how much they have been neglecting Africa. This major hit should make both states re-consider their plans for Africa.
  • The fact that the resolution was vetoed, paradoxically is not so terrible for either Bush or Brown. What they are aiming at is a series of severe sanctions coming from the most developed countries. This can still be achieved through private negotiations (with Japan, Brazil, Australia etc) or in the European Parliament (for all the European states). As a matter of fact, if the European Parliament votes for such sanctions an unprecedented shift of power would occur. The European block may actually win an unexpected battle. It could self proclaim the guardian of democracy, while undermining the importance of the United Nations as an international organization. EU would also score a major victory is the EU members impose economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, that would eventually lead to a coup or the resignation of power on Mugabe’s part.
  • New tensions between the West and the East occur. These tensions will most likely affect the future international policies. Neither the US nor the UK will forget this!
  • Zimbabwe’s crisis remains “out there.”
  • Mugabe wins for now. Which means we will see more people dying, disappearing, or being beaten. Just stay tuned to BBC World and watch!

This vote today is by all means a disgrace to human decency. It not only affects the people involved but also the overall perception of the United Nations. The reputation of the most important international organization in the world it at stake, after suffering such a major blow. Hopefully, Ban Ki-Moon will be able to downplay the importance of such a vote, or the image of the UN is in real danger. If people completely stop believing in the UN then the UN has nothing to fight for. If it loses its legitimacy in front of the people it will only be an international version of Robert Mugabe. This veto changes everything. Now we need to sit, talk, analyze and see exactly what this “everything” really is.

For more articles by this author, please visit the African Politics Portal at http://codrinarsene.com

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5 comment(s)

  1. Akpowaidor Asekome Akpeti | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply

    Africa’s independence has been a subject of discussion for a long time, many have held the opinion that true independence granted to nations by self imposed imperailist has never ben gotten rather a form of pseudo independence that gives unassailable rights to world powers exists, which allows them to trample upon weak African nations

    Africas chequered history has seen the rise of more strife, most particularly after foreign powers acknowledge its position as a resources bed .

    I am piqued by the fact that super powers as Russia and China would veto the undemocratic and antisocial attitude displayed by Robert Mugabe. It is most annoying to realise that money intrest still hold sway aginst the backdrop of popular opinion, which calls for democracy,

    At a time when efforts are on the way to push for an African state, where trade liberalizations and economic boundaries are been removed such crises would only make more visible the divdes in culture .which we as Africans have always hiden.

    The polarisation between the east and wets also poses grave danger to world peace , China’s grip on africa is becoming very worrisome . The sudden rise in business concerns having sino affiliations vis a vis strife in sudan and Zimbabawe are pointers that china may be operating a policy of “divide and rule”.Where it goes all out for the resource without caring for the people.

    The way forward

    Sanctions would not better the situation. it is the common Zimbabwean who suffers , Robert would not be moved ., All African leaders need to converge and seek his audience . The sovereignty of Zimbabawe should be restated , while talls should begin on how best to democratise or maybe find a lasting soluton to the problem.

  2. CareTaker | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply

    This veto does not come as a surprise given the previous stance of these two – China and Russia. The last election in Russia was a joke where the former president singlehandedly handpicked his successor; it would be a wishful thinking that Russia would see anything wrong with Mugabe. China on the other hand has been a prop and financier for Zimbabwe since the west UK/USA backlisted it.

    The only viable option had always been with the African Union. But the AU only looked the other way but more or less parted Mugabe on the back during the Egypt summit. This failure of the AU was what prompted the veto and encouraged China and Russia. They too the cue for AU.

  3. Codrin Arsene | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply

    I would respectfully disagree with you CareTaker. The veto is actually a surprise. Most of the international diplomats and journalists (I include myself in this last category)were sure of one thing: China alone would not have vetoed the motion due to the rising international pressure, the mas media coverage and the general international background. It was Russia’s vote the one that gave China the right to side with his old ally. The problem is Russia doesn’t have any traditional diplomatic connections to Zimbabwe. So this is what puzzled the West. Both the US and the UK were sure China would abstain while they already had the necessary votes to pass the resolution. When Russia vetoed, China seconded the decision.

  4. CareTaker | Jul 13, 2008 | Reply

    You have every right to disagree Codrin and side with the populists; I speak for myself. Russia is somewhat predictable, and will most likely counter-vote any USA/UK-driven agenda. Besides, why would anyone expect Russia to ‘uphold truth’ by voting for the resolution when its last electoral process was a sham? China has nothing to gain tagging along with London and Washington on this matter, and would tag along with familiar buddies. However, if the AU had been more vocal against Mugabe, maybe Russia/China might have abstained.

  5. Akpowaidor Asekome Akpeti | Jul 14, 2008 | Reply

    Recent developments show that age old feuds and wars are still fought despite all the talk about world peace and the need for super powers to play the big brother role.
    It is very possible that Russia aligned with China on the basis of ensuring that the status quo or more like the silent acrimony between the west and east is mantained.

    But ,i feel that there may be a stronger motivation to pass a vote as that. Yes ,the elections were a sham in Russia , nevertheless money politics and high energy demands may be creating voracious attention on africa.

    The AU may have tacitly endorsed Mugabe for reasons that may have a lot to do with the sovereignty of Zimbabwe .The united nations does not need any prompting from the AU to take any decision .The UN has more clout and would do what it pleases with majority support from the super powers. IRAQI DEBACLE? ? ?

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