Independence and the An Yue Jiang

Beaten for hours with chains and fan belts
Originally uploaded by Sokwanele – Zimbabwe

It has been 24 days since the presidential elections and the official results are still to be released by ZEC. A lot has been going been going on in Zimbabwe since the 29th of March with one of them being the April 18th Independence Day celebrations. Just how independent Zimbabwe is, is something much left to be desired. I took a look at the dictionary definition of independence:

Independence – the quality or state of being independent, freedom from control or influence of another or others
freedom – the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints: autonomy, liberty – immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence

Freedom of speech is something that is basically unheard of in Zimbabwe and the government tries to keep a tight lid on what sort of information is distributed via the various media channels and the journalists who come into the country to report on the situation. Some people live in fear that they may be subjected to beatings, torture, jail sentences or even death for speaking up for what they believe in which in most cases is basic human rights. What kind of independence is that?

Zimbabweans are in a state of limbo as they await the very overdue results of the presidential elections. In the mean time, the streets of the nation’s cities and towns have been filling up with personnel from the armed forces and the odd Chinese military official has also been spotted. MDC activists and supporters have been subjected to violent beatings and this violence is something that may continue or even escalate especially with the large arms consignment destined for Zimbabwe from China.

A Chinese ship the An Yue Jiang which is carrying a large amount of weapons and ammunition destined from Zimbabwe was turned away from South Africa and Mozambique and is now destined for Angola from where its cargo can make its way to landlocked Zimbabwe. The United States is trying to intervene to convince governments of African nations to prevent the ship from unloading its cargo. There have been reports that a second shipment destined for Zimbabwe will be flown into the country, a step that may have been taken to circumvent the problems and controversy surrounding the first consignment. What all of this weaponry will be used for at a time like this is a question that a lot of people are asking?

Whatever the case may be, the people of Zimbabwe continue to suffer at the hands of a few people who could very easily put an end to it and allowing new leaders with the right mind set to take over. Are Zimbabweans going to have to go through the struggle of gaining independence all over again?