Democracy, integrity and the 'sharing' of power

Following Zimbabwe's recent controversial presidential contest, President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed a Memorandum of Understanding by which Tsvangirai became Prime Minister. This situation mirrored January's events in Kenya, when President Kibaki was hurriedly sworn in after being declared winner of an election that Raila Odinga, the opposition candidate, had seemed set to win. In both countries violence, in the wake of corrupt elections, led to power sharing deals brokered by external mediators. The similarities are both striking and disturbing. In each case, terror and intimidation were used by corrupt leaders, who disregarded the decision of the people, following apparently democratic elections.

 Not only is Zimbabwe facing a major crisis because of cholera, but it is doing so, even as it becomes clear that a power sharing deal between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangerai can never work. Calls for Mugabe to leave office are now coming from major world figures, including Raila Odinga and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called for Mugabe to be removed by force if he does not go freely. It is clear that democracy can only work if those who stage elections do so with integrity and humility.

Seidu Alidu, Centenary PhD Student; Dave Hufton, Centenary PhD Student and Professor Gavin Fairbairn, School of Applied Global Ethics.