Zimbabwe: the window closes again

Zimbabwe's ballot boxes have been in the state¹s hands for a full two weeks, and now the courts have accepted the government's case for 'recounts' in 22 constituencies. Victory in just nine of these would be enough to re-establish a parliamentary majority for Zanu-PF.

After the brief exhilaration of a purported MDC victory, the window of opportunity is fast closing for Zimbabwean democracy. As Electoral Commission officials are arrested, and Mugabe's goon-squads form ranks, the blatancy of the election-rigging has already begun to dilute meaningful responses from the international community.

Thabo Mbeki's craven policy of 'quiet diplomacy' has undermined any efforts at mediation by the South African Development Community, and the tougher stance of Tanzania's Levy Mwanawasa is meeting with blank contempt.

At Saturday's crisis summit in Lusaka, Mugabe was notably absent.

Western leaders, meanwhile, wax lyrical about democracy but - neutered by historical guilt and moral relativism - have singularly failed to further its cause in Zimbabwe. (Whatever happened to statesmen who could distinguish right from wrong?)

In return for their noble maintenance of non-violent opposition, the MDC is being hung out to dry. At this stage, it seems unreasonable to ask them to do more, but one thing they must change: the decision not to contest a presidential run-off.

Sure, they might get robbed; but boycotting the process ­ however illegitimate it is ­ will do the MDC no more good than in previous elections, and risks forfeiting everything they have achieved in recent years. By going to the run-off, they can show the world they did everything they could.

The Buddhists tell us that change comes only from within. Let us hope they are right. The recount is in six days, and no-one else looks set to come to Zimbabwe's aid.