The simple fact that the rest of the world is saying something you do not agree with does not make it true. And it is occasionally possible to “tough out” difficult times and emerge in good shape on the other side. Those must be some of the sentiments being experienced by Robert Mugabe during his 85th birthday celebrations as he contemplates the mess which the rest of the world says he has made of Zimbabwe. His solution? Seize more farms, and eliminate foreign ownership of companies.
Economists would argue that the current shortage of food in Zimbabwe has been brought about by the seizure of farms over the past several years which has led to a vast reduction in the amount of crops being produced. Economists would also argue that laws requiring foreigners to hand over ownership of companies to Zimbabweans (that is, Zimbabweans who are supporters of Mugabe) have caused significant capital flight from the country. But economists are often wrong.
During the past month, operations at 150 farms in Zimbabwe have been disrupted by farm seizures and attempted seizures. The government is supposedly a coalition between Mugabe’s party and Morgan Tsvangirai’s, but it is obvious from the latest developments that Mugabe is still firmly in control. The unemployment rate is around 90%, and more than half the country is in need of food aid. The country is currently seeking $2 billion in emergency aid.