The year ahead for Zimbabwe is looking grim. The vast majority of its people will continue to suffer, and its leaders will continue to blame others for their own failures.

The people of Zimbabwe turned out in impressively large numbers—the Zimbabwe Election Commission reported 70 percent of voters turned out—on July 30 to choose a way forward for their country. The election, the first without Robert Mugabe on the ballot, was billed as a chance to close a painful chapter in the country's history, and bring real legitimacy, at last, to the government. It was a moment of hope.

Robert Mugabe receives immunity for himself, a $10 million exit package, and protection for his wife Grace as his former allies face jail time as President Mnangagwa cracks down on the "criminals" that were allegedly behind his removal as vice president.

In remarks delivered at his swearing-in ceremony on September 17 as the new U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs, veteran diplomat Tibor Nagy hit all the right notes, stressing the challenges and opportunities inherent in Africa’s youthful demographics and emphasizing the enduring importance of governance in attracting trade and investment.