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Tichaona Zindoga Political Editor
The last time I wrote about Kofi Annan, the former United Nations secretary-general and chair of The Elders group, was in August 2016.

The Elders is a group of former prominent world leaders formed by Nelson Mandela in 2007 and describes itself an “independent global leaders working for peace and human rights”.

Its more prominent members include Graca Machel, Mandela’s widow; former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, former US president Jimmy Carter and former Irish prime minister Mary Robinson.

Ricardo Lagos, Fernando H. Cardoso – former presidents of Chile and Brazil respectively – and Gro Harlem Brundtland, the first woman prime minister of Norway, have all been part of the Elders.

Impressive.

In August 2016, the Elders released a statement on Zimbabwe calling on “(Sadc) heads of state to support a successful and inclusive transition in Zimbabwe”.

They professed that Zimbabwe was “on the verge of an important transition”.

They wrote: “We firmly believe that a successful transition is vital not only for Zimbabwe but also for the region […] we are also convinced that, if the transition process is to succeed, it must be inclusive, transparent and framed in the national interest.”

This was not the first time they had had interest in Zimbabwe.

As early as 2008, they had made attempts to broker a power-sharing agreement between Zanu-PF and the MDC formations, a task that was in the hands of Sadc.

South Africa had started mediation role as early as 2006-7.

The Elders were thus rebuffed.

In November 2015, the group tried to enter Zimbabwe on “a humanitarian mission” and “to assess the country’s humanitarian needs” but were denied entry.

In fact, under the previous administration of President Mugabe, the Elders were something of undesirable and prohibited immigrants.

For our own part, we did not agree with them for the material reason that in 2016 their call for an inclusive transitional authority – which at the time was being touted by the likes of Ibbo Mandaza and Tendai Biti – was irrelevant because Zanu-PF had been given an overwhelming mandate by the people of Zimbabwe in the last election in 2013.

Even previously, in 2008, their role had been questionable because, for all their standing, they just could not supersede regional diplomatic efforts.

Now, in July 2018, a lot of things have changed.

Zimbabwe is in a transition, with elections coming on July 30, which will not feature former president Mugabe, who resigned in November 2017.

The Elders have been allowed in the country ahead of the elections.

Their admission is part of a broad, less hostile stance adopted by President Mnangagwa who has also allowed Western observers to be stakeholders in this election.

President Mnangagwa has said Zimbabwe has nothing to hide.

He has also shown a more welcoming temperament than his predecessor.

He says Zimbabwe – in terms of diplomacy – is engaging and re-engaging.

Economically, Zimbabwe is open for business.

The political environment obtaining in Zimbabwe only 10 days before a watershed election is different from 2008: there is peace, tolerance as political parties and players go on around with their business.

Everyone is free to campaign and the main opposition has embarked on over 60 major campaign rallies nationwide, featuring its presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa.

Even at local level, campaigning has largely been peaceful.

More cases have been recorded on intra-party violence than at inter-party levels.

The legal environment for the conduct of these elections is much changed as well, giving all parties a shot at the poll.

That is not to discount complaints from the opposition, though it must be noted that these complaints are more motivated by fear of losing than that they could stand scrutiny, practicality and even law.

Civil society has equally been hard at work, perhaps a little broke, but their work has been unhindered. Expectedly, some organisations may nurse the good grief associated with aligning with a losing side – as is becoming apparent.

Things have changed.

The Elders should have noticed that, including from the very air above the country.

It will be interesting to read what conclusions they will draw from their brief experience of Zimbabwe before they leave the country on Saturday – nine days before the elections.