Mujuru working with Tsvangirai behind the scenes

Vice-President Joyce Mujuru was working behind the scenes with the Movement for Democratic Change, former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee said but added that it was not clear whether this was because of new found reformism or it was just a tactic against Emmerson Mnangagwa.

McGee’s comments are contained a diplomatic cable that he dispatched in 2009 shortly after meeting Mujuru on 17 June.

He said that apart from Mnangagwa, Mujuru also faced a challenge from Oppah Muchinguri who he said was allegedly a former mistress of President Robert Mugabe.

“Muchinguri is now head of the powerful ZANU-PF women’s league and (possibly with Mugabe’s backing) may attempt to dislodge Mujuru from her position as vice president at the ZANU-PF congress in December,“ he said.

Full Cable:

Viewing cable 09HARARE500, AMBASSADOR’S MEETING WITH ZIM VICE PRESIDENT MUJURU

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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 HARARE 000500

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STATE PASS TO USAID FOR J. HARMON AND L. DOBBINS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019

TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM ZI

SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR’S MEETING WITH ZIM VICE PRESIDENT MUJURU

Classified By: Ambassador James D. McGee for reason 1.4 (b) and (d)

——-

SUMMARY

——-

¶1. C) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Vice President

Joice Mujuru on June 17, his first meeting with her. Mujuru,

who was warm and engaged, expressed her support for the

transitional process and bemoaned hardliners in her party who

were attempting to sabotage it. She urged incremental

assistance to award the transitional government’s progress.

The Ambassador acknowledged that Zimbabwe has made progress

over the last year, but stressed that developmental

assistance was dependent on substantial compliance with the

Hague principles, particularly human rights and rule of law.

END SUMMARY.

¶2. (C) Mujuru stated that while people (read the West)

wanted fast change in Zimbabwe, it was significant that the

MDC and ZANU-PF had come together in a unity government.

Incremental assistance was necessary as a reward for progress

and to move the country forward. There were those (she

implied within ZANU-PF) who were opposed to the transitional

government and would benefit from a descent into chaos. She

implored the Ambassador to give a chance to those who

supported progress.

¶3. (C) Seeking to portray herself as a reformer, Mujuru

noted she had fought in the liberation struggle for basic

human rights including freedom of speech and association.

She was critical of arbitrary arrests and detentions without

trial that continue to take place and emphasized she had

spoken out against post-election violence. Mujuru said that

the land reform process was a fait accompli, but that a land

audit should be done to correct mistakes and ensure the

equitable distribution of land. She added that President

Robert Mugabe had charged her with the responsibility of

accomplishing this, removing it from Vice President Joseph

Msika who is in failing health. (NOTE: Reports indicate

that the ageing Msika is in critical condition. END NOTE.)

¶4. (C) The Ambassador acknowledged progress, particularly

the fact that an inclusive government had been formed, but

said that compliance with the Hague principles, especially

human rights and the rule of law, was necessary for more

significant U.S. engagement. Mujuru said she understood —

Zimbabwe was not an ordinary country and therefore the world

expected more of it.

——-

COMMENT

——-

¶5. (C) Mujuru was warm and gracious and accepted the

Ambassador’s points. She did not bring up the issue of

sanctions. The only expressed difference during the meeting

was Mujuru’s argument that more assistance was justified

based on progress to date and in order for the government to

progress, and the Ambassador’s position that additional

reform was necessary to justify additional significant

assistance.

¶6. (C) Mujuru has been llied behind the scenes with the MDC

and Tsvangirai, and, increasingly, more openly in Cabinet.

Qand Tsvangirai, and, increasingly, more openly in Cabinet.

Whether this is because of a new-found reformism or as a

tactic against Emmerson Mnangagwa in the struggle to succeed

Mugabe is unclear. Apart from Mnangagwa, she also faces a

challenge from Oppah Muchinguri, former Minister of Women’s

Affairs and allegedly a former mistress of Mugabe.

Muchinguri is now head of the powerful ZANU-PF women’s league

HARARE 00000500 002 OF 002

and (possibly with Mugabe’s backing) may attempt to dislodge

Mujuru from her position as vice president at the ZANU-PF

congress in December. END COMMENT.

MCGEE

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