By Heraldviews
In a
move seen as an overture to Washington, and potentially to a future Trump
administration, Zimbabwe has begun compensating white farmers whose land was
seized under Robert Mugabe’s controversial land reforms, while also rolling
back trade tariffs that long deterred Western investment.
The
strategy appears designed to court favor with the U.S., particularly among
Republicans who have historically criticized Zimbabwe’s policies. Former
President Donald J. Trump, who remains influential in GOP circles, has
previously expressed sympathy for dispossessed white farmers, calling the
seizures “a disgrace” during his presidency.
A Calculated Shift
Under
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has quietly begun paying out millions in
compensation to former white landowners, though critics argue the amounts fall
far short of market value. The government has also slashed import duties on key
U.S. goods, including agricultural machinery, in what analysts say is an attempt
to position Zimbabwe as open for business.
“This
is a clear signal to Washington,” said Trevor Maisiri, a Harare-based political
analyst. “Mnangagwa knows that if Trump returns to power, he’ll need to show
progress on these issues to get sanctions lifted.”
The Trump Factor
Trump’s
stance on Zimbabwe has been notably tougher than that of the Biden
administration. In 2018, his administration maintained sanctions, citing
ongoing human rights abuses and lack of democratic reforms. But Trump has also
voiced admiration for South Africa’s white farmers, once tweeting that they
were facing “large-scale killing,” a claim fact-checkers disputed.
Zimbabwe’s
recent policy shifts suggest Mnangagwa’s government is hedging its bets ahead
of the U.S. election. “They’re playing the long game,” said a Western diplomat
in Harare, speaking on condition of anonymity. “If Trump wins, they want to be
first in line for sanctions relief.”
Skepticism at Home and Abroad
While
some white farmers have cautiously welcomed the compensation scheme, many say
the payments, often in long-term bonds rather than cash, are inadequate. “It’s
a start, but it’s not justice,” said Ben Gilpin, whose family lost a 3,000-acre
farm in 2002.
Meanwhile,
opposition figures accuse Mnangagwa of using the issue as a political ploy.
“This isn’t about righting past wrongs; it’s about appeasing powerful
foreigners,” said Tendai Biti, a former finance minister.
A Risky Gamble?
The
Biden administration has shown little appetite for normalizing relations with
Zimbabwe, citing continued repression and electoral irregularities. But if
Trump regains the White House, Mnangagwa may find a more receptive audience, especially
if he can frame Zimbabwe as a counterweight to Chinese and Russian influence in
southern Africa.
For
now, the question remains: Is Zimbabwe’s charm offensive too little, too late, or
a shrewd bet on a political comeback?
With additional
agency reports
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