Mugabe is the charismatic leader, but if he died tomorrow would much of anything change in Zimbabwe? He has a circle of cronies who like things as they are, and there was even a story a few days ago claiming that the military was really running the show now.
Offer to cut all money unless they throw Mugabe under a bus, and they’ll do just that. Then what? Tsvangirai doesn’t control the Zimbabwe military, and a statement that we recognize him as president will hold about as much weight as a UN declaration of concern.