In a startling turn of events, China has emerged as the new colonial master of Zimbabwe, effectively replacing the former British colonial rule. While Zimbabwe is officially classified as an independent nation, the reality on the ground paints a different picture—one where it has become a satellite state of China. This transformation can largely be attributed to the intricate web of connections between Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, and the Communist Party of China. These connections have also fueled Zanu PF’s futile ambitions of establishing a one-party state, leading to a dangerous convergence of a brutal political regime and a struggling nation.
The Chinese treatment of Zimbabwe as their satellite state should come as no surprise, given the deep-rooted entanglements between the two nations. These ties were primarily forged through China’s provision of military aid to Zimbabwe’s liberation army, ZANLA. However, this aid was far from spectacular, as it failed to achieve significant military objectives due to negotiations with the British metropole and the imposition of the Lancaster Constitution. It was this mediocrity in military aid, part of China’s Cold War posturing, that led to Zanu PF becoming entangled with China.
It is not an exaggeration to argue that Zanu PF has served as a pawn for China, allowing the latter to expand its sphere of influence and gain access to Zimbabwe’s strategic resources, vital for its economic ambitions. In this relationship, China assumes the role of the metropole, while Zimbabwe becomes the client state, effectively making the Chinese overlords who consider themselves above the law. They exploit Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage by destroying graves and heritage sites to extract resources such as coal, gold, chrome, and platinum, with no regard for the consequences.
The people of Zimbabwe have borne the brunt of this exploitative relationship. They have been massively displaced to accommodate China’s resource-hungry enterprises, with no compensation or access to proper legal redress. The courts, once bastions of justice guided by the supreme law, have now been captured by private interests seeking to benefit from Chinese exploitation.
The Zimbabwean people are subjected to slave-like labor conditions, their work unrecognized and unsalaried, with no safety standards or reasonable working hours. They find themselves with nowhere to turn for help, as the courts are beholden to Zanu PF, which in turn relies on China for protection from international sanctions. China’s veto power in the United Nations Security Council allows it to shield Zimbabwe from these sanctions.
The threat of international sanctions serves as a potential catalyst for Zanu PF to reform. Reforms could pave the way for a democratic Zimbabwe, with transparent and accountable governance, making it difficult for China to continue its exploitation. However, China is determined to prevent this scenario by providing Zimbabwe with sovereignty-threatening loans for unnecessary infrastructure projects, diverting resources from critical sectors like healthcare.
By positioning China as a shield against international sanctions, Zanu PF ensures its unchecked accumulation of wealth, regardless of the destructive consequences. If the people rise against this oppression, China stands ready to intervene, portraying itself as the savior of Zimbabwe, all the while advancing its own ulterior motives. This arrangement effectively grants China a passport to continue abusing Zimbabwe with impunity.
In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s transition from British colonial rule to Chinese domination raises serious concerns about the state of democracy, human rights, and economic sustainability in the country. The entanglement of Zanu PF with the Chinese Communist Party has allowed China to exploit Zimbabwe’s resources and people mercilessly. It is imperative that the international community pays attention to the plight of Zimbabwe and works toward a future where the nation can truly claim its independence from foreign influences and oppressive regimes.