US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray has warned President Robert Mugabe was likely to face a revolt similar to those that rocked North Africa, if the critical issues affecting the nation remained unaddressed.
The diplomat chastised Zanu PF for using sanctions as a ransom for it to deliver democracy in Zimbabwe.
“There is already discontent among the youths who are not employed and it is worrisome because they are the majority since they form 65% of the population,” Ray told journalists at a youth dialogue meeting in Bulawayo last Thursday.
He defended the sanctions that were slapped on President Mugabe and his inner circle saying the punitive measures had no impact on the economy. Ray said the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act, meant to block Zimbabwe from accessing lines of credit from international lenders was invoked because the country was ineligible for loans because the country was failing to service its debts, some of which dated back to the 1990s.
He said the sanctions mantra by Zanu PF was meant to gain political mileage because the restrictions were only on President Mugabe and his associates, including companies with Zanu PF links. The ambassador said the sanctions were effected due to gross human rights violations.
But Ray said removing President Mugabe from power would not change the country’s political fortunes unless there was, a complete overhaul of the whole Zanu PF system.
