The unilateral decision by Robert Mugabe to name a cabinet despite reaching an agreement with the opposition will mean that the next President of the United States will have to deal with Zimbabwe at least once during their term.
Both Senator McCain and Senator Obama have been critical of the controversial presidential campaign in Zimbabwe that took place earlier this year. After the first round of elections, Senator Obama referred to the Mugabe regime as "illegitimate and lacking credibility." The runup to the second round noticed a gradually increasing of pressure on those who had the fortitude to support the opposition. The results of the election became a forgone conclusion after Morgan Tsvangiari dropped out just before the second round began.
Senator McCain himself issued a strongly worded statement of support when Tsvangiari was pressured into dropping out of the campaign. McCain has suggested that a League of Democratic States be formed as well. Another area that a McCain campaign may have problems with the current leadership in Harare will be transparency in government. Currently Zimbabwe has some of the World's most draconian media laws and has outlawed gatherings of 7 or more people without a permit from the security forces.
This action taken by President Mugabe will not alleviate tensions in the region. As a matter of fact this step could make things worse. Tensions with both Zambia and Botswana increased during this campaign cycle. The divisions within the governing troika in South Africa are once again becoming acute after the acquittal in the Zuma Treason Trial and the enforced resignation of President Mbeki. The refugee crisis created by the stagnation of Zimbabwe has created problems with the crime rate, homelessness and the rate of HIV in South Africa.
The US Embassy in Harare has had an interesting record within Zimbabwe. Staff members have been accosted by the Zimbabwe National Police while on official US business. US Embassy staff have also been present at trials involving those arrested for promoting democracy in the country. And at one point the US Embassy has provided shelter for 200 people who were seeking sanctuary after assaults by supporters of the ruling ZANU-PF.
Several questions will then come up. First will the next President find any cause why the US should end the sanctions currently in place? Part of the document creating the government of National Unity was a call for the international sanctions currently in place to be lifted. So that is one call that will have to be made. Another is whether or not there will be an increase in humanitarian aid. Recent reports have indicated that food is scarce and hospitals are running low on medicines.
These are some of the topics that could be driving US policy towards Africa over the next few years.
