We tried to talk about this yesterday but the phone lines did for us. We’ll put that right today. Of course we’ve asked this question before, but it’s urgency comes from the ongoing reports of violence against President Mugabe’s opponents, and from the restrictions placed on food aid over the past few days. Some political activists are being given asylum in neighbouring Zambia. So what should be done?
We’ll have people to argue for military intervention, economic sanctions, quiet diplomacy, the arrest of Robert Mugabe, doing nothing, worldwide pressure, and Africa-only pressure. What action, if any, do you support?
I’ll be honest, we don’t always get huge responses on the blog to Zimbabwe posts.
I’m curious, is it because this is primarily of interest to Africans and many of our listeners there can’t get online to post?
If you’re outside of Africa, is it because this feels like an African problem which isn’t relevant to your life and which Africans should be left to sort out themselves?
Maybe it’s that some of you don’t feel qualified to comment. There may be another explanation all together. How would you explain this?
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Yes!,the world has decided not to talk a bout the problem the people of Zimbabwe are and were going Through,Mugabe seems to be a a bove the law!,The US and EU need to help solve the crisis in Zimbabwe.It’s reallly inhuman to sit back and watch as people suffer!,
Recently Our Prime Minister Hon Raila Oding called for a quik intervation by the international community but it seems all these calls by African leader are falling on deaf eyes!
Abdi, I beg to differ. “All these calls by African leaders”? You mean like chief mediator President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who continues to say there’s no problem in Zimbabwe and is so clearly on ZanuPF/Mugabe’s side it’s not even funny?
Only when Mbeki acknowledges the problem publicly and speaks out against Mugabe will anything change. The media definitely needs to focus more attention on this issue.
The answer is not as straightforward as the question. While it might look like the world has ignored Zimbabwe, all diplomatic actions, including travel sanctions on Mugabe and his cronies have failed. The burden to act really lies with SADC and especially South Africa – the West should be there to assist but when most of Mugabe’s political counterparts won’t challenge him for driving his country into the ground – anything the West (including NGOs) does is jcast as ‘regime change’. Mbeki should be ashamed of himself.
JJ, London
This is going to sound terrible, but yes, I think the world media and the world in general has put interest in Zimbabwe on the back burner.
Why? Because world attention isn’t doing anything. The world can shake their finger at Mugabe and ZanuPF all it wants, he doesn’t care. And we’ve seen the world backlashes against “Going in against dictators and evil governments!”
So what is the world supposed to do? Zimbabwe’s fate is in Zimbabwe’s hands. If the people there can’t see how Mugabe and ZanuPF is wrecking the place, and throw them out themselves, then there is nothing the world can do to truly help.
Zimbabwe needs to step up and take its own fate in its own hands. As long as they empower their oppressor, nothing will change.
I think the entire world has not turn its back on Zimbabwe, it is the African Leaders that have let the peple of Zimbabwe down by putting no pressure on Robert Mugabe, especially Thabo M’beki and other leaders of SADC. If the pressure from the west is followed internal African pressure, by now Mugabe would have been gone.
When a regime knows its end is drawing near, it employs desperate measures like lashing out at NGOs and any organisation for which it harbours a certain phobia. Thi case semms to be the case currently holding sway in Zimbabwe.
We need to analyze the issue of Zimbabwe from the basics, the problems of Zimbabwe are not Mugabe oriented but its a mere mix of many factors which factors are leading to ban aid from almost all international organization and arrest of the opposition.One may wonder how stupid dictator Mugabe might be,this is the only dictator who allows a run off (in Africa context)>According to real news on ground in southern Zimbabwe aid organization are using the name of aid to campaign for the opposition the aid workers must be assured of your vote to Morgan to have access to the goods which I think non of the governments in the world can stand by and watch.
The bottom line is “the world has not forgotten Zimbabwe but the so called world (Britain and America) have failed in their strategies to put Mugabe down”
Let’s suppose, as so many ‘disgusted’ commentators do, that it’s up to Thabo Mbeki to intervene in the Zim situation (even though, really, some of the onus must fall on the UK govt whose past interference in Zim has played a large role in bringing things to this pass).
Let’s agree that it’s up to Mbeki and South Africa, because South Africa is the regional ‘power’ and the ostensibly most democratized Zimbabwean neighbour.
The question then becomes : what should Mbeki do? Speak to Mugabe? But he’s already done that. Condemn the Zim regime? Their response will only be:Who cares? Place sanctions on an already bankrupt country? No use, and only the population will suffer.
So, what should Mbeki do? Intervene militarily? Is that what South Africans should do?
Answer, please.
There isn’t anything he or any outside leader can do. The people of Zimbabwe have to figure out what they want, and force their own change. Mbeki can’t do anything, as you stated (Donovan).
The best of the options I could see would be if Africa moved troops and observers into Zimbabwe to regulate and observe the elections, to make sure things are fair. And to make sure the country accepts the results.
They should have done that the first run through, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Mugabe would be out and we would be seeing how the new government was plannign to deal with Zimbabwe’s changes. I think that is the real lack of action that Mbeki can be condemned for. Failing to act early enough in a leadership role to make sure the elections were run correctly and honored, without questions of tempering and cheating on the election.
Well there is no oil in Zibambwe, furthermore it is in Africa, then why bother?
Secondly the truth about Zibambwe has never been told, but created.
If the world wants to help Zibambwe, please support Zibambwe and its people by supporting the country and its current leadership. People come and go. If we do not like Mugabe, he may live 1,000 years.
May be if we supported the current government instead of advocating for regime change (a word which I personally find offensive), we could have improved the lives of Zibambweans.
I would rather see regime change and rule of law enforced. But what I and you want really don’t matter, its what zimbabwe and Africa want which ultimately matter.
David: I fail to see how the lot of Zimbabweans would have been improved if the world supported the Mugabe regime If you support a leadership that uses violence on its own electorate, you end up supporting a country that looks pretty much like North Korea.
But that aside, how do you support a leadership whose economic policies are so corrupt, inept and informed by unrealistic ideology, that the final result must inevitably be national bankruptcy. Of course the answer is self-evident: you support it by giving it money, and more money, and more money….
I don’t think anyone would buy into that idea.
The world has turned its back on Zimbabwe.
This is purely internal matter of Zimbabwe as opposition & ruling parties are blaming each other for cheating & frauds infact it sound like ” might is right ” kind of political atmosphear, whick can be resolved with better trust & understanding of both.
From the very begining Zimbabwe is trying to survive under Democratic flag, I remember during first militry cue Air Marshall Dawood Pota Of Pakistan Air Force bail out civilian Govt, now both ruling & opposition parties are opening the doors for Militry Dictatorship.
Mr.Mugabee & opposition party suppose to understand the sentivity of the situation, to avoid a big mess they show there sinceraty with Zimbabwe in a civilised Democratic manner, as this thing will buildup public trust in civilian Govt.
Abdi
How?
If the US and EU, UK were to start making noise in Zimbabwe’s direction it would be seen as imperialism poking its nose into African affairs.
This is the problem that Africa has now. The African nations wanted independence, rightly so, and have now got it – you can’t all of a sudden say that it is up to those nations to come in and do what is necessary.
The nations of Africa have to come together to ostracise Mugabe – he is the plight of Zimbabwe and has been for a very long time.
In practice, yes, the people of Zimbabwe are on their own. Let this be a warning sign to citizens of nations that are inclined to print themselves up free money. Let it also be a warning to those that ignore the need to be active in civil society.
Zimbabwe is now joining the ranks of nations that commit suicide by government along with Rwanda, Serbia, Myanmanar, Somalia, Ethiopia and Sudan. I’m sure I’ve left some fine examples out so please add your own.
In my mind Zimbabwe is a failure of the UN who is more interested in criticizing the United States and passing resolutions condemning Israel.
Mugabe turned the breadbasket of Africa into a Basket Case while the UN stood idly by and did nothing.
Presently millions of the world’s poor including those in Zimbabwe are starving because the UN never understood that food supply and prices are not static and the UN sought to build populations built upon receiving handouts rather than developing their own agriculture.
If the world is serious to solve Zimbabwe then the world as a whole, not the impotent UN, must intervene remove Mugabe, feed the people, teach the people of Zimbabwe to feed themselves and train a political class of White and Black people that can rule a DEMOCRATIC state……but I am dreaming as the world does not give a damn.
The “world” is in a no-win situation here. If, by some miracle, there was the political will to impose a military solution in Zimbabwe, the outcry condemning neo-colonialism would be deafening. However, if an independent country is allowed to run itself into the ground, the accusation is that the world has forgotten about them.
Whatever the final solution, it has to happen regionally, not be imposed from the outside. We can try to offer help and support–but more than that will cause more problems than it solves.
In Zimbabwe sanction will not work, instead it will only affect the already downthrodden masses. Mugabe will love sanction because he wants the poor Zimbabwians to suffer. In that instance if he distribute food to the already suffering and masses, he will be seen as a saviour a weapon that he will use to prolong his stay in power.
Military force as solution, I say NO, not the proper way because again in this the poor will suffer more and I’m afraid it could become another Iraq or Somalia.
Diplomatic pressure, YES. This will have to be not only by the West but also by the African countries. I’m not speaking of the lip-service diplomatic pressure that we are seen around here. I mean complete ISOLATION of every member of the regime by African governments especially those who are neighbouring Zimbabwe. Mugabe and his cohorts should not be allowed to travel out of Zimbabwe for any reason(s) be it for UN,AU, SADC,and etc. submit.
I think the role the West is plyaing should have been done by the Africans and complemented by the West.
I’m critic of the West but on this they are trying their best but it is the African gopvernments that are not applying efforts. Until they can do so the people of Zimbabwe will continue to suffer.
While I was in college I studied international economics. I had two different professors on the subject, one was from S. Korea and the other West Africa. I got similar response on the economic condition of Africa. The S. Korean made a sound of disgust, and then made a gesture of throwing something into a trash can. The African professor gave a detailed analysis of Africa’s economic situation that summed up was: they have too much political corruption there it will never get fixed. So, what to do about Zimbabwe? Nothing. It’s a shame as to what is occurring there, but change is going to have come from the people to achieve any real results.
Ros,
I wanted to drop a quick note about the Zimbabwe question you asked. If WHYS is on a subject I feel passionately about, I have never NOT responded. The African issues however, I try not to get into for the simple fact that I don’t know enough about them, and have no knowledge on which to base an opinion. Africa is very rarely on our televisions, nightly news carries it occasionally and CNN almost never does, at least not in the time slots I’m watching. In fact, the only news I get on African issues is what I hear on the BBC, and since I listen to it while working, it is only a passing listen. Perhaps I am not looking in the right places, or perhaps not passionate enough to search out the information on Zimbabwe, or Africa at all, for that matter. But, when it comes to affairs of the rest of the world, if it’s not about oil or politics……..Americans don’t pay attention. Not all of us, but I feel, most of the people in this country, don’t care at all about anything that happens outside of this country until it starts to effect our wallets. It’s sad but true. No one holds us accountable for anything we do to others on this planet or what we do to this planet in general. Which is why we are all in the state we are in.
Sorry, in re-reading that I suppose I sound bitter. I am not, I love this country, where else can I have the opinions I have and not get shot for having them….certainly not in Zimbabwe. But, I am embarrassed at what “we the people” have let happen to this country, and everyday I listen to WHYS and the BBC, to make sure I am not as secluded from the world as some of my fellow countrymen.
Cheers to you Ros and the WHYS team!
Jennifer Moskowitz
Albany, New York
Hi
Personally I would personally send a heavily armed force into the country if President Robert Mugabe hangs onto his power. I want to ensure that all of his money and other disposable assets are seized. Then I would want the armed force to go into Zimbabwe and then capture, arrested and deported to the High Court in London, United Kingdom . Although I would want to have the vast majority of a trial to have a Media blackout.
Then I would be want him to be taken to jail for a lengthy period of time and his journey to jail would be with a heavy armed escort
Rob
Mine is going to very brief. I think the international community should engage the ZANU-PF government in a constructive way that will lead to the resolution of the stand off that has gone on for too long. By international community, I mean, even African states…we need to have the view of the people of Zimbabwe in sight and not reducing everything to Mugabe vs the world
What to do with Zambia- Swing that man Mugabe and his party to thier knees, and quickly, it may not be too late. How can the leaders of this world look at us in the face?.
To date they have not earnt any respect or understanding over the no action status against Zimbabwe. They look on,bleat a bit, and hope that someone else will do the work, but thier is no one else, cause they are all looking on, and bleating. If i let down my family because of cowerdness, or carelessness i am ashamed and sorry, and try to prevent it happening again. How do our leaders feel, ignoring the basic decencess of mankind?. We are looking on with them, in most cases they were elected by us. We have an excuss, we don’t have the reigns in our hands, they have no excuse.
BBC make a survey, ask all of your listeners to vote on the matter. That is not political you are being neutral in asking the world. A world referendum. Present the results to the UN.
It doesn’t matter what Mugabe did before, he and his party must answer for what he is doing today.
John in Germany
I just received this message from a Daily Email subscriber in Zimbabwe who doesn’t want him name to be published:
My own point of view though is that the solution in Zim right now lies in negotiations. If the international community can do anything, they should get Zimbabweans on both sides (ZANU) and MDC to seat down and talk. Another dimension which I think has all of a sudden emerged we never considered before is the army, which I think needs some sort of appeasement.
Even if Morgan the election on the 27th, it will be difficult for him to make any changes. A hung parliament is difficult enough, add a dissenting army to it then we are in trouble.
I wouldn’t be sure how Joshua Nkomo and Mugabe settled it in the 80s, but I think it is the sort of agreement we need now. What will the critical point though will be who to lead the political settlement. I think it is quiet clear that Mugabe is expired, and some even within his party no longer want him. It will be key therefore for Tsvangirayi to lead a coalition with a VP that will at least be from ZANU.
The international community can also do better by toning down on the crimes for humanity idea. Thats the issue thats making the army run scared.
Does the “World” fail to act because the “World” is afraid of politically correct criticism?
If so then this world deserves to perish.
It is neo-colonialism as Zimbabwe has proven that it is incapable of self-Government….and what is wrong with neo-Colonialism if it restores a domed country, restores political freedom and feeds the people?
I believe that there has to be direct pressure by South Africa.
Mugabe is going to remain President after the election run-off and the world is going to do nothing about it. (At least he carried out elections! Even if they are not free nor fair.)
This is because there is no economic reason for Europe and America to invade dictatorships like Zimbabwe and Myanmar. Worse still, most African rulers are supporting Mugabe because that is the path they might have to take in the future. Instead it is going to become like another Nigeria that had to (and still does) sort itself after 30 years of political turmoil.
Julie Kampala
@ Jennifer.
As a young soldier i had the privilege, yes the privilege of working with American soldiers, it was in the time of the cold war. Please don’t believe soldiers are living in a different world, they don’t, except they can die more quickly for doing there job.
America is great, but like all counties she is judged by her leaders and not the people, so there are ups and downs on the popularity ladder. One thing to remember is every leader has hundreds of advisers and experts to assist him or her in making decisions, so- unless her or he are regular ignoramuses they listen to the advice they are given, and the advisor hope they act accordingly.
As a Brit i am proud of Britain even though over the years our leaders have made some bungles. Its all about roots, for every colour and creed.
Best Wishes
John in Germany
Zimbabwe, like many other countries in a similar situation, has the chance of only being extensively in the media reports. For politicians, it isn’t an urgent matter as the regime there is a threat only to its people and not to the interests of other countries. Zimbabwe doesn’t have huge reserves of oil. It doesn’t have nuclear weapons or on the way to developing them.
It’s unlikely that there will be a military intervention in this country. Countries have seen worse situations and it took a long time to send peace mission there. There are the example of Liberia and Sierra Leone that witnessed human atrocities of big magnitude like limb amputations. Comparatively, in Zimbabwe there are just harsh beatings of the opposition supporters leading to crack in their heads or severe bruises on their bodies.
The economic sanctions are useless in a country having inflation currently at 120,000%. Mugabe in defiance of the international community has also banned international aid to his country.
Quiet diplomacy can work if there are solid grounds of negotiations between Mugabe clan and the opposition. Mugabe accuses the opposition of being supported by the imperialists, mainly UK. Maybe UK should step aside when it comes to international mediation not to give excuses for Mugabe not to agree on a face-saving solution to the current crisis. Maybe solutions should be found only through African mediations as African leaders know each other better through the way they run their countries. The majority of them have as a common denominator the monopoly of power by whatever means. Some excel in doing this by keeping their countries at least stable.
The arrest of Mugabe is unlikely as he has the military behind him. Arresting him will amount to a massive military operation. Mugabe can fear prosecution if he loses power after the elections on June 27th. Instead he should be guaranteed immunity as a way to end the current deadlock.
Zimbabwe needn’t eat out itself further more. Zimbabweans needn’t continue living in further humiliations through repression at home and xenophobia in South Africa. Zimbabwe still has the chance to rise again from its current crisis if only all its major political players can work out practical solutions to live side by side instead of seeking ways to put a deadly end to each other.
The world has turned its back on Zimbabwe,focusing on Iraq & terrorism,its indifference helping Mugabe to continue his reign of terror on a greater scale.The ban on aid agencies & brutal repression of all those who oppose him just reveal he’s getting desperate,which is a good sign.The world should take this chance to act.The sight of him attending a UN food conference in Rome just like any other leader is ironic & shameful.
The southern African nations,especially South Africa should use this opportunity to end his rule by putting pressure on him by cutting food,fuel & electricity supplies to Zimbabwe.
There should be international pressure on Thabo Mbeki to act now to avert any further disaster in Zimbabwe.We need a worldwide pressure on Zimbabwe & SA,but this is only to help them find the final solution themselves.
Dear Ros,
I am happy to be part of the one in a million to offer some comments on one of the trouble shooting topics like the Zimbabwe issue. I must mention that Zimbabwe crisis has been very difficult for many African leaders and indeed ordinary ctizens of Africa and in particular the many humble Zimbabweans. The African leaders most of them are twice younger than Mugabe’s age hence Mugabe has no regards nor a listening ear to such he would consider his offsprings and off course this can be humbled by the African culture that clearly stipulate that the young ones should unconditionally listen to their elders and not emerge cleverly to offer alternatives on how the elders must proceed. Mugabe, himself, to my own analysis and observation he would have stepped down by now but the core problem or solid defence for a wind of change are his Army Chief snd Police Chief, and other political party members who are hungry for power like vultures.
Mugabe must be arrested now or after losing the run-off polls. The people of Zimbabwe too its high time you showed that Mugabe is not the only viable surviving and capable of bring a better life to the country. I also wished this time when this is happening to Zimbabwe, Zuma was the president of South Africa because Mbeki Thabo has proved to be a serious weaker mediate in this process and other leaders that have tried to chip in and reinforce his efforts have been frustrated by either Mbeki Thabo or many of Mugabe’s ministers who desire singing praise songs that only appeal to Mugabe’s ears.
Regards,
Kelvin Kamayoyo
What to do about Zimbabwe? A difficult question considering what is at stake and any answer is never going to be easy. But I would be very doubtful that Morgan Tsvangarai is much of an answer either. He may not be a Mugabe, but the image of him sitting in an office with representatives from a private company and uttering the words directly to hire assassins to take out Mugabe and assume power that way still sticks in one’s mind. Would he really be much of a solution as the rest of the world seems to think, would he be become little better than Mugabe were he to cease power considering how much money would then flood into the country to assist the people? Too much temptation for too few people in power.
Andrew
Australia
@Ros.
Can they talk to each other? can Mugabe be trusted not to organise the disappearance of adversaries?. And how about the lieutenants, will they go along with thier leaders?.
John in Germany
I’ll be frank with you, Ros. I feel deeply for the people — especially the women who are often victims of rape and other forms of torture and scapegoating — but how do we speak to this ongoing turmoil that feels so remote and disconnected from the world? And maybe that’s the issue. Because of its instability and its perceived disconnection, it’s hard to have an opinion about it — or at least one that’s worth typing. One friend of mine is a native South African who has recently immigrated to the UK, working in London. He is so exasperated with his own country that he’s looking for asylum. Another friend of mine who’s lived in Africa off and on is vehemently against the aid industry that we and other countries are feeding there. He feels that Africa has done nothing to help itself and that it is more than capable if we stop trying to “help.”
I dearly wish Africa as a nation was not so troubled. But I can’t really speak to it.
Mugabe has rightly ruled his country, thoughtfully the way it demands but its not clear whether he should
have rule his country the way he did!
There is a talk i heard – That its only Mugabe who can rule his country successfully at its current position and that when he goes off, the country will go back to its passed.
But the” reign of Terror” will demand for deplomacy and if it fails what about economic sanctions? In any case he was banned from entry to Europe but he still attended the a food conference.
America’s credibility to negotiate is slightly too far removed to do anything about this now. Mugabe’s having fun toying with the ‘diplomatic’ envoy sent by the UN with no protection. The mere presence of America in Zimbabwe given the ongoing operations in Somalia, ‘secret bombing raids’, would just stir up the kind of conflict that Mugabe wants to disguise his corruption in the election.
The UN and Britain must repair the damage by monitoring the elections with peace keepers. There’s about a 1 in 1000 chance that it will be fair, somehow the message must be delivered to Mugabe that he won’t be tolerated any longer, and who better than the former colonists to do that.
Hi Ros,
To be honest with you, the harm that the westerner governments are doing to Zimbabwe is no less than what Mugabe is doing to his people.
Let me put it straight, there was a free and fair election in Nigeria 15 years ago, it was annulled, Nigerians rose up to the occasion but the western government still romance the government of Abacha while the winner languished in prison.
Am saying this to say that, it is only when the interest of westerners are threatened or affected that we hear so much.
Am not giving clean bill to Mugabe, far from it. He his an Africa Legend whether we like it or not, the only thing he has not learn is to let go, LEAVING WHEN OVATION IS LOUDEST. He should have taken some lessons from Mandela.
Lawal Sikiru Ade,
Portharcourt, Nigeria.
Mugabe was installed illegally by the British Government in the 1980 Inpendence Election, which was frauded (by the British, who were running that election). Mugabe was chosen by the British despite (or because) of the fact that he had shown extreme cruelty to his own people. After Independence, he master-minded the Matabeleland Massacres, to which the UK and the West turned a blind eye. Now that since 1997 he has gone off the rails, it is a UK responsibility to save the victims of this UK-created disaster. What is required is a voting system which cannot be frauded. The UK and the West have refused to entertain this Project (which exists since 2006) because although it will solve the Zimbabwe Problem, it would lose the West probably 100 client-state pro-western dictatorships globally and improve the material and psychological situation of more than 1 Billion people living at present under dictatorships. The solution is simple. Give all black Zimbabweans UK and/or US passports and let them emigrate and/or migrate backwards and forwards as they wish. Mugabe can fill the gaps in Zimbabwe with up to 10 Million Chinese. Mr Alex Weir, Harare and Gabarone. Call me on +267 72 23 37 17
Ogola:
Do you think that possibly the only reason Mugabe appears to have to stay in power is due to him having de-valued the currency to such a point that the goods are no longer valuable unless the government sells them?
Please BBC, why don’t you leave Zimbabwe alone. Don’t you realize that so much noise about Mugabe is the kind of publicity despots enjoy?
Try this: News without Zimbabwe for a month ‘ll certainly make him leave power. What is power (sweet dirty power) without as much publicity as you (BBC) are giving Mugabe.
Hi my Precious Ros… It’s such a big shame that there isn’t much oil down there in Zimbabwe… If Zimbabwe were rich in oil then my dear brothers in Zimbabwe would have enjoyed the blessings of “American liberation” !!! With my love.. Yours forever, Lubna..
It is evident that the world allow matters to deteriorate beyond repair and then ask questions as to how we could solve it.Only way you can put an end to the problem is for the UN to intervene and ensure a fair and proper electon.There after who ever who wins should be enthroned as president with adequate safe guards, may be with a an international peace keeping force being present in the country.
A similar situation is brewing up in Srilanka and the world is watching the fun.
I now realize that contrary to the view that Mbeki is of the new of modern African politicians, he still harbours that colonial mentality of Mugabe. That is why he will always see eye to eye with him even when he pepetrates heinous offences againt the opposition.
I agree with the opinion of Jennifer from Albany. The same happens to me. I cannot give an informed comment about Zimbabwe because I don’t know enough about African issues. I think this happens because Africa is not often in the news –at least not in my country where about 90% of the world news in the media is about the U.S.
However, I know Africa is the most vulnerable continent in our planet in all respects. If the reports of intimidation against President Mugabe´s opponents are true, then there is a clear violation of the civil and political rights of the population. Zimbabwe signed the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1991, so the government is bounded under international law to respect and implement this Conventant. I think this matter falls under the competency of the UN to investigate, pursue and sanction any violation of these rights.
Hi Ros!
Now you are inundated with replies on this subject. It is not that we are not interested but having followed all that’s been going on we feel helpless and cannot think how we can suggest any idea to help Zimbabwe. If the international community has the right to walk in and arrest R Mugabe then it should do so and save that nation. If they have no such power, then leave him alone. He seems senile and to have taken leave of his senses. What about his people? Can’t they come up with a solution as they know the situatoin better? Why can’t they defeat him outright and completely but if they can’t do that, and they want to vote for him, then what can anyone outside that country do?
I would say leave them alone. Just like Uganda came out of a dictator president Zimbabwe surely will. They seem like intelligent people, very articulate and capable and what more than starvation to make them take extreme steps?
They have to rise up against their dictator leader. If RB still gets into power, and poeple want to leave that country other African nations and any others able to help should be ready to take them. Easier said than done but I am really at a loss on this one and can’t suggest anything else.
Hi ROS,
The truth is that the WHOLE world has looked the other way and allowed Mugabe to have his free course. At this point and at this time, only the UNO can bring in normalcy and restore confidence in the life of the ordinary citizens.
A high level mediation is very vital at this point and a Government of national unity stands as a better option. Hear me guys! A FREE, FAIR ELECTION IS NOT POSSIBLE in the next few days in Zimbabwe. Lets not deceive ourselves….
I agree with Lubna. Unfortunately unless it is in the economic interest of Western nations, they will not directly interact in foreign nations facing dire situations.
It’s a battle between globalization and maintaining national stability.
For example, the US does not have to resources to directly help every country in need. But the US is putting an unbelievable amount of resources into Iraq b/c the government decided it was in the US best economic interest (i.e. oil). Neither scenario is right, but what is the solution and how can it be controlled?
There needs to be a stronger international arm for dealing with such complicated issues. The world is globalizing. Many decades ago the West may not have even known what was going on in Zimb, but now that the world knows there is a responsibility to help (there and in many other countries too.) But how can powerful nations help when they can’t solve their own domestic problems, or clean up their own international messes?
Somehow the cycle needs to break….
Hi,
I feel very sorry for the ordinary Zimbabweans, but what can we do? Invade every single country that has a leader we don’t like? The Western military countries are already in troubles up to their ears! From what I heard on BBC, there are still a lot of people in the country who think that Mugabe is doing the right thing, and besides, outside intervention is more likely to fail than succeed (the Balkans and South Korea are the only positive examples I can come up with). Lasting change has to come from within, if the new leader then asks for international help to set up proper administration, schools, health care etc. then we should be happy to help. Until then: hands off!
Giving food to people to prevent them from voting their conscience is the most exreem example of wickedness i have ever come across.Mugabe should not forget every action in this world bears a consequience.Mugabe is a cruel leader.He should be bannished and if possible he should be hunged.
Hi everyone,
There is not much that the rest of the world can do apart from the sactions like from the west. The citizens of zimbabwe must raise up against the tyrant govenment, go to the streets, refused to be oppressed, educate other citizens who are pro ZANU-PF. Then the rest of the world will join you in the fight if the govenment does not respond, or if they try to break your demostration. But without that most people will talk from outside and nothing will happen.
We must have people fighting for the second liberation of Zimbabwe, We will support after that, it will take little than two months. This will be lesson in future to other leaders- in the whole of Africa. We are waiting for the second liberation!!
Aloice Kiplimo Rugut,
ELdoret,
Kernya,
We can only help those Zimbabweans who want it. There is still many, as said above, citizens of Zimbabwe who want Mugabe.
It is they who need to advocate change and do something to bring about that change.
The response of the “international community” has been weak and whiny from the start,this constant handwringing is pointless its time to put up or shut up.
People have picked up a gun for less,why isn’t there any armed insurgency?
I think most of the neighbouring frontline states would’ve liked to have taken “care” of their white communities in the same way, only Mugabe had the courage of his convictions,so they are unlikely to support Anti Mugabe terrorists.
Here’s the clearest possible outcomes for the election:
1. Mugabe succeeds in pressuring the vote in his favor.
2. Mugabe rigs the vote to win.
3. MDC wins the election and those officials within the government who supported MDC have to be given safe exit from the government.
Given that it would take government officials making sure the vote wasn’t rigged their lives would be in danger immediately. So the MDC parties chance of winning is based on having the protection of an outside force. There’s no way that it can happen any other way.
“I’ll be honest, we don’t always get huge responses on the blog to Zimbabwe posts.
I’m curious, is it because this is primarily of interest to Africans and many of our listeners there can’t get online to post?
If you’re outside of Africa, is it because this feels like an African problem which isn’t relevant to your life and which Africans should be left to sort out themselves?”
What is happening in Zimbabwe is NOT a Zimbabwean or an African problem ONLY! It could happen to any of US tomorrow or the day after!
Apportioning blame and the percentage of such blame to the involved parties is one side of the story.
The history of colonialism in Africa ensures that EVEN IF a non-colonialist, non-racist White person were to speak up against the events in Zimbabwe he/she would be immediately be labelled as being a racist or colonialist supporter of the white farmers (or others) who were ousted from their lands and/or homes.
THAT is the tragedy of Zimbabwe! The other tragedy is that the events in Zimbabwe are a GENOCIDE of OPPORTUNITY as far as the ordinary Zimbabwean is concerned.
Who are ZanuPF? Who are they to be brought into a unity government? Why would you drag the corrupt oppressors of the majority of the people into a government trying to change a country’s direction?
Are there that many supporters of ZanuPF in Zimbabwe, or are the majority of their support the military and existing government, and the people they are buying off with gifts or terrorizing with fear?
That is no basis for a unity party. Other countries in Africa have had peoples of different perspectives at the constituent level all the way up to their leaders.
Is that really how it is in Zimbabwe? It seems like an oppressive ruling class and everyone else.
Believe it or not yes, there are plenty, near half the voters who support ZanuPF.
It’s a strange phenomenon how when the government inflates the cost of food down to the point where the people have to receive ‘concessions’ from the government in order to eat they start to rely on it.
If a people are so deluded as to keep supporting Mugabe and ZanuPF in the face of what they have done… If it was not for those who are staying and trying to rid zimbabwe of him, I would say zimbabwe deserves its fate in choosing to stick with its oppressor.
Katani speaks the brutal truth I think.
What if they’re choosing not to keep Mugabe? What if MDC does get just 51% of the vote and still loses a rigged election?
Do you still think they should force an uprising in the face of a government receiving shipments of arms everyday from nations like China?
At what point do we declare this yet another genocide in the making.
Dropping bombs on Mugabe is the equivalent of dropping food on top of the people; you can literally kill people with kindness.
If you are calling for a foreign invasion of Zimbabwe to restore order, I nominate China.
The moderators have asked why more people are not responding to this question. The violence and repression in Zimbabwe is important, and definitely should be dealt with. However, as an American, I am far more concerned with the Bush administration and it’s war, violence, and repression in Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s threats of more war against Iran, it’s repression here in the U.S., and the growing debacle of it’s mal- and mis-feasance in management of U.S economic affairs.
Here in California, petrol prices had risen 30% over the last year, and again in course of a few months another 25% – now at $5 / gallon or more. Bread now costs $4 + per loaf, and prices of grains and flour have doubled or tripled since spring began. Unemployment is rising fast, and home foreclosures proceed apace. Essential public services, including public transit, are facing drastic cuts. In addition, California and other western states are enduring very serious drought – which greatly raises the cost of hydro-electric power, and by itself can lead to serious power outages.
Zimbabwe’s 1,000% + hyperinflation is horrific, and Mugabe seems to be propped in power by thugs and goons; but at least he does not have nuclear weapons, and is not threatening nations on other continents.
LEAVE ZIMBABWE’S ISSUES TO ZIMBABWEANS. IF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY — WHOEVER THAT IS — MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT ZIMBABWE, IT MUST BEGIN WITH THE USA AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS OVER KOSOVO, AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ, AND SOMALIA.. THAT IS JUSTICE.
Prince Awele Odor
Lagos, Nigeria
Ditto Jennifer M.
Ros,
I have not found american radio to report on such things.Talk radio in America is not like the BBC.
It is mostly about american politics, slander and quite one-sided.
I have friends in zimbabwe and this is why I am interested.
AT Abdelilah,
Do you remember what happened to Joshua Ngomo?
and, no, there are not “just beatings and bruisings.” There are deaths and disappearances.
Understanding Mugabe’s track record:
could he be trusted to uphold any type of commitment when talking about diplomacy?
Usa and Brittain need to follow the African lead.
And, the AU needs to “LEAD,” not just quietly stand.
Mugabe was a decorated war hero against colonialism and sometimes, it is difficult for AU to understand that these years of reverence are long gone.
BTW., as we give AID, it can’t come with strings or superiority.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all Internations laws and treaties which profess to champion the rights of people to be free from terriorism by and sponored by government should be terminated. The false promises that such documents proclaim is just another form of emotional terrorism by the world.
It really saddens me to listen to this discussion on Zimbabwe. Real people are dying and suffering as WE sit comfortably listening to and/or discussing what should be done. The people of Zimbabwe are not real because we do not have to share in or witness up close their brutalization by their government. They are only intellectual concepts. Look around the world. The Zimbabwe government leaders have looked and they know the world may critize them, condemn them, but will not do anything meaningful to them. Apply whatever sanctions the world wishes because the leaders know it will hurt the people long before it affects them, if at all.
In the name of humanity terminate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all such international laws and treaties because the world lacks the will to enforce them. This will be the greatest act of kindness to an already brutalized people. Remove the false hope. Every leader lives in fear they may be held accountable for violation of these internationally recognized standards and therefore will not support meaningful intervention in Zimbabwe or anywhere else.
So we tell brutalized people to be patient. Look toward a national government of reconciliation. So people die, are tortured, live in fear, go hungry, lose loved one, children become parentless, we tell them to get over it.
First start by imposing sanctions on the country….Then imposed VISA and travel restrictions on the government and its entities [military]….
But NEVER try to hurt the innocent folks [people].
Dennis
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, New York
United States of America
The sanctions are only “individual” travel sanctions. Ordinary Zimbabweans can trade with and travel to any country on this planet. Let us cut that bit of misinformation out.
@Michael in Portland,
The world cares, but I would like to point out that we are human and fallible, which makes it all that much harder.
Yes, we care. We care very much. The AU and SADC must take control if they expect respect from the rest of the world. The Mugabe’s of Africa have made the AU and SADC a laughing stock.
Yes, aid can come with strings… like accountability! I’ve a friend from the Congo, and I spoke with him yesterday about Zim. We ended up talking about Africa in general, and the political situations that exist there. I asked him for a solution, and he responded that the aid should come with accountability. If a country says they need money for roads and infrastructure, fine, help those who are in need and give them the money. But, when they come back next year seeking more funding, check on the roads they built before handing them more money. See what they built and look at the books to see how much it cost, and who got the contracts. You see, the whole thing is about power and Swiss bank accounts. Mugabe and his cohorts (and any number of 3rd-world leaders), to be sure, have bulging Swiss accounts… and where did that money come from? It came from aid intended to better the lives of the people. Strings? You bet… tight strings!
I think that the real question is:
What can we, as individuals do to help?
I’m not talking: write letters and urge senators.
I’m talking action.
One more thing…. once you’ve stolen enough and committed enough atrocities, you end up with “a tiger by the tail”… you HAVE to stay in power to avoid facing convictions for the horrible misdeeds. And, to stay in power, you must commit further atrocities. That’s what’s happening now as we speak…. right now… today… this hour.
The truth about it is that it’s not just the one at the top of the pile who has blood on his hands… it’s everyone of those who steal and cause pain and ignore the rule of law. Mugabe doesn’t have to tell every minister or general or soldier or policeman what to do… they’re smart enough to figure out for themselves what he would want them to do.
That is why it is so important to document with as much detail as possible those atrocities. One day, the local police commander or CIO operatives won’t have the protection from prosecution, and must stand trial, along with all his co-defendents, for all the damage they’re doing. How do you spell “h-a-n-g-m-a-n”…?
Ros, IT IS possible silence is born from the REALITY of a world gone mad! What do rats do inside over-crowded cages? Earth now has 6.6 BILLION humans and counting! Does anyone think there’s no connection between OUR numbers and the reality we live? Think again!
How many crises, urgent and extreme, how many nations and sites, where humans, singly or en-mass, are NOW and have been at the mercy of brutality, torture, abuse, neglect, indifference, secret or official, by government or their agents in the last fifty years? How many GENOCIDES have we seen since WWII, since “NEVER AGAIN” was carved on a wall at Dachau? From America to Zimbabwe–while the world talks, rants and raves or shrugs it all away; while so-called rulers and leaders find other culprits and knaves on whom to displace their own violence and responsibility–violence reigns out of disguised or open courts the world over! Courts where America’s rulers sit at the forefront! So, what can be done in a world ruled by FEAR and GREED, by the lust for ever growing power, and violence as the legal means? When does THE WEST ever get involved in anyone else’s tragedy?–ONLY when IT, its interests or self-serving agendas are involved or threatened! What can be done, you ask? Effective action to end an evil needs the heart of compassion,… and a guiding vision beyond the evil: extinct species in the ‘Halls of Justice,’ the ‘lairs of government’ or our thinking tanks from A to Z. So then, what can be done? What can be IS BEING DONE: humanity races on a one-way road to ecological and social global suicide! Just wait till we arrive where the road we travel is headed and our problems will have vanished!
In lieu of this, IF WE HAD the vision, the wisdom and the heart, or possibly the time, we could conceivably create a genuine WORLD GOVERNMENT, a Word WatchDog, under whose overseeing genuine powers Zimbabwes or Rwandas or Somalias, Iraqs and Americas, Israels and Palestinias, and all other warmongering abusive entities would simply not be allowed to tyrannize anyone, within or without their borders. But…, that’s not the road we’re on, is it??? And so, we will arrive where we’re going! ALL OF US! With no one, east or west, north or south, left out!
Ros, IT IS possible silence is born from the REALITY of a world gone mad! What do rats do inside over-crowded cages? Earth now has 6.6 BILLION humans and counting! Does anyone think there’s no connection between OUR numbers and the reality we live? Think again!
How many crises, urgent and extreme, how many nations and sites, where humans, singly or en-mass, are NOW and have been at the mercy of brutality, torture, abuse, neglect, indifference, secret or official, by government or their agents in the last fifty years? How many GENOCIDES have we seen since WWII, since “NEVER AGAIN” was carved on a wall at Dachau? From America to Zimbabwe–while the world talks, rants and raves or shrugs it all away; while so-called rulers and leaders find other culprits and knaves on whom to displace their own violence and responsibility–violence reigns out of disguised or open courts the world over! Courts where America’s rulers sit at the forefront! So, what can be done in a world ruled by FEAR and GREED, by the lust for ever growing power, and violence as the legal means? When does THE WEST ever get involved in anyone else’s tragedy?–ONLY when IT, its interests or self-serving agendas are involved or threatened! What can be done, you ask? Effective action to end an evil needs the heart of compassion,… and a guiding vision beyond the evil: extinct species in the ‘Halls of Justice,’ the ‘Lairs of Power’ or thinking tanks from A to Z. So then, what can be done? What can be IS BEING DONE: humanity races on a one-way road to ecological and social global suicide! Wait till we arrive at the end of the road we travel, and our problems will have vanished!
In lieu of this, IF WE HAD the vision, the wisdom and the heart, or possibly the time, we could conceivably create a genuine WORLD GOVERNMENT, a World WatchDog, under whose supervision and genuine powers Zimbabwes or Rwandas or Somalias, Iraqs and Americas, Israels and Palestinias, and all other warmongering abusive entities, private or otherwise, would simply not be allowed to tyrannize anyone, within or without anyone’s borders. But…, that’s not the road we travel, is it??? And so, we will arrive where the road is headed! ALL OF US! With no one, east or west, north or south, left out! And May God Help all!
Hi guys,
There is a wise old saying that the problem with human beings is that we are are always making history by failing to LEARN from history.
Please tell all the people calling for one form of military intervention to go back and learn from the Liberian crisis, Ivory coast, somalia, iraq,afghanistan, etc where nothing was gained under the sun but more harm was caused due to military interventions in economic and political issues. One question I want to ask is can the BBC tell the whole world the genesis of Zimbabwe’s problems? What brought the sanctions by the US and Britain and later the EU on this poor developing country in the first place? I believe a little bit of the history will help people understand the problem better and offer more tangible solutions. To limit it to mugabe’s behaviour now alone, to me, is like tackling only the fever for someone who is suffering from a malaria attack. The fever is just a simptom. Lets tackle the “malaria” in Zimbabwe please!! And to my fellow africans I’d like them to know that since we are embrasing democracy now there is no place for the military(whether home grown or from outside) in our body politics. Their actions amount to coup de etat.
Zimbabwe belongs to Zimbabweans and not the governments of the UK or US. It makes me laugh when i see the British and US. goverments act as if they care about the Zimbabweans. They do not.
First and formemost. They care more about the 4 or 5% of white Zimbabweans who used to own 80% of the agrarian land during the abominable UK-supported Apartheid era.
When the Robert Mugabe led ZANU-PF liberated Zimbabwe (and not the Britons) with the help of other African nations, they were promised some compensation by the UK for the land; compensation which they never received.
Zimbabwe was the so called “breadbasket of Southern Africa” as long as the white minority was still in power. This whole propaganda against Zimbabwe has been prompted by the white supremacist who are angered by Mugabe’s redistribution of the land to the rightful owners; who are black zimbabweans. I would even argue that South Africa should have done the same. Just look at the millions of South Africans who are engaged in a misguided war against the very same people who were at the forefront of their liberation.
Thabo Mbeki (whose father Govan Mbeki was a comrade to Mugabe in the liberation struggle for the people of Azania) is aware of the historical relevance of Mugabe in the struggle for the liberation of the people of South Africa. It is obvious that he would respect Mr. Mugabe in any negotiation. Furthermore, Morgan Tsiganrai who never fought in any war, is fully aware that Mr. Mugabe’s tenure can neither be intinidated nor coerced by any pro-western political apparatus. He is the very same gentleman who was caught in Canada by the israeli secret services, negotiating a UK-led coup against Mr. Mugabe. Which is a sacrilege in Africa.
Some folks would argue that the redistribution of land has not been fair, and has been in favor of the war heroes. They might be right. However, war heroes of any nation on earth deserve advantages.
You folks seem to ignore that in Africa, they are very many dictators France, the UK. or the US do not say anything about. Why Zimbabwe? Please dig deaper and do not be ignorant of the true facts. Zimbabwe is the nation that uncovered the plot to overthrow the government in Guinea (central Africa). Guess who was the shadowy figure behind the coup d’etat; Sir Mark Thatcher the son of the Iron lady Margaret Tatcher. The arm forces of Zimbabwe are the ones helping Kabial’s son in the Congo. Africa has changed, the UK. which used to directly intervene in Africa is finding some challenges.
The current crisis in Zimbabwe is due to the unjust embargo against the people of Zimbabwe. Does it make sense to you that the UK wants to help the people of Zimbabwe by championing an embargo that would negatively impact the very same people their trying to help?
Is it to punish Mugabe and his so called cronies?
Ladies and gentleman please read and seek information. I would suggest reading from the East and West and making an informed decision as to what to believe in this saga.
President Robert Mugabe has mess up Zimbabwe
We are sick and tired to here about him suppressing the opposition leaders and his supporters.
Those days are far gone for the ruling party not to accept defeat and live the people to make the decision
Mugabe follow the footstep of Sierra Leone election and just step down from the run off because despite all the suppression on the opposition leader and his supporters you are going to lose the worst one as the ruling president. Your days are gone and are counted now
CA,USA
Watching Zimbabwe suffer is like watching snot dry in the hot African sun. You lose interest quickly, having seen it all before, and often.
Des Currie.
Zimbabwe needs a new coverment . Mugabe says he has plans with the country to help farmers and has a visioen for the country to find his place but beware .. never mislead yourself for this talking air idea . A old trick of dictators that blames the whites and “opposition(s)” for the failures in progress … ( infact only – a rival – because nobody becomes in general a opposit against the progress for the country but only to someone has another (wrong) idea about WELFARE ) you should have know . This man is a selfisch dreamer , and thats what we all in more our less have , and that needs to be chanced .. in acceptable terms , and that order and course must be … – got to be – … lightweigt – for – the – shoulder (ing) –
Come worldleaders standby .. make laws that dynamic – this total spiritual process – ! ( i dont mean A God for the outsiders , private and well ) but with a God that knows the suffers within you but shows us a way out of the mess one way our another ) And this is not done by someone who dreams to be a Topleader of Zimbabwe , because thats old dreaming on … — beyond reason !! —
Hello,
As for why I did not feel to contributing to the discussion about the Zimbabwe problem.
It is clear as crystal that Zimbabwe needs regime change, but I feel not informed well enough to talk about how to change the regime and whom power should be given to. The Kenian power struggle between two men at the cost of many lives is still in my mind. And foreign intervention is certainly not always the best thing to do. As a world-citizen I feel ashamed for the gang-raping by a group of UN soldiers, the BBC recently was reporting about. That was very, very bad for the imago of UN-peacekeeping forces.
In other words too many uncertainties to proclain more than just my uncertainties.
Ben from Holland
It’s saddening that for over many years the west still have no idea of dealing with people like Mugabe, Amadinajad, Chavez etc. Confrontation only worsens the situation. The west has over demonized Mugabe to the extend that he’s on an offensive full time. Morgan has been consistently misled by the west to destroy his country. Is Morgan really patriotic? Whether we like it or not, Mugabe remains a crucial element to resolution of the Zimbabwean quagmire. The west have to sensibly engage with him, even via AU or SADC.
It is so sad that despotism still thrive in Africa.Mugabe has rubbished whatever goodwill he derived from the independent struggle which he led. Much as the Zimbabwean people are disullussioned with Mugabe, i strongly believe Morgan has failed to cutthe kind of appeal to the people generally required to politically wrest power from a despot.Morgan can never win an outright majority and what that simply means is a negotiated settlement of the dispute. Either that or a pure military intervention. Any thing in between simply wont work.
Morgan is making matters even worst by acting as a proxy to the West. He only infuriates the ZANU-PF. Moreover, he is powere hungry like the Cameroonian, Gabonese and other African dictatorships.
The best resolution would be a unity government, not with Morgan T; but rather with someone else in the MDC.
It is sad to see Morgan being manipulated by the West which; yesterday was still blessing the oppression of the black Zimbabweans.
Again, where is the money that was promised to Zimbabwe after the independence? Why an embargo now?
For what purpose?
Mugabe is still considered a hero by at least 43% of Zimbabweans. In boxing, if you want to dethrone a champion, you go for a clear knock-out. Morgan T can not expect a split decision to dethrone the champ (Robert Mugabe). He needs way much more, he needs the approval of a substantive number of war heroes. His strategy of relying on the West has failed.
Morgan T is not the man for Zimbabwe. The MDC needs needs a better leader.
The Zimbabwe issue is another collective failure of the international community.
what is the crisis? I would like to know everything…
Hey “Bamine Charlie Boye”
How can Mugabe mess up Zimbabwe when there is an embargo he can’t control. You suggest the only way for an African country to prosper is to obey the master (the West); which Mugabe can’t do after having kicked their butt out of Zimbabwe. You are also telling me Castro in Cuba is not good for his people because he said no to the West and offered hope to the black Cubans and others.
Remember, poverty with dignity is way better than prosperity in slavery. You need to “emancipate yourself” from the mental slavery western propaganda with an over-reliance on western media. There are some people in the world who have enough dignity to stand against mental slavery as expressed by a profit-driven pro-western mentality.
African leaders are fully aware of the historical significance of Mr. Mugabe who dared to fight those in the West who did not want (and still don’t want) a bright future for Africa.
I am not saying he does not have issues as a leader, but I think the support of the opposition by the West is so obvious that true Africans have to resort to their bravado and patriotism that liberated them in the past.
It is obvious that Mugabe might not be adequate for leadership, however there are thousands of ways to make him part of the solution and not antagonize him. He should be held on the same piedestal Winston Churchill was held on.
“Alma Cristina” thank you for your insight. That is great.
SHOOT HIM DEAD!!!, WILL SOLVE ALL PROMBLEMS. In other words do to him what he is doing to the other people.
Elias.
No need to answer that. I guess your statements reflect your intellectual limitations to come up with constructive arguments. that only proves my point.
I think the rest of the world has a responsibility to the people of Zimbabwe. If a man is systematically brutalising his wife and children we do not say “A man’s home is his castle” and let him continue to beat them up. Yet we hesitate to act against Mugabe, whose neglect of the country and its people have proved him unfit to govern any longer. The US has done great harm to the cause of international law by its actions in Iraq but we should not let national sovereignty be the excuse not to take action to free Zimbabwe from this cruel despot. Specifically, the UN should pass a resolution requiring Zimbabwe to hold the presidential election under the protection of sufficient international monitors and forces to protect those attending opposition rallies and polling stations.
It is high time that freedom loving peoples of this world, speak with their conviction.
Clearly, Mugabi stupidly believe that the population needs his stewardship and does not want to let go of the reins of power.
The opposition now hold the moral high ground if what the BBC cameras have shown us is anything to go by.
No time should be wasted in blockading zimbabwe with the co-operation of surrounding States, leaving Mugabi and his murderous so called “veterans” in no doubt that the World will not tolerate such unspeakable crime such as we have seen on our television screen
Zimbabwe, odd how when the government of Ian Smith was in power the world imposed sanctions, British frigates in the sea lanes in Beira, did what it took to remove the Rhodesian Front. However it is disgusting that the same rules don’t apply now, Mugabe’s track record speaking volumes for his duty of care, ability and sense of justice and acceptance that he is a servant of the people.
Just how would you feel knowing your country has a president who features as one of the worlds wealthiest? This while the nation is starving and has nothing, this while the supposedly intellectual Zimbabweans write accounts of what the whites did. See big papa. Strange when in Africa blame the whites, 28 years later it has to be the whites, who else? South Africans are doing the same already, how can a country with an economy can become an economic disaster without a white in power and then tell the world its the whites, or the Americans or the British, no its not its governments in Africa, who else can it be, the Easter bunny? Isn’t it time the very same admitted their inability to be called a government? Failure to continue an economic structure would suggest inability, incompetence, or just plain ignorance. Kaunda, Banda, Kenyatta, Mugabe, how many more will it take before acceptance is reached in respect of their lack of ability? Rather keep giving unmanaged aid and the money ends up lining the pockets of the Mugabe’s of this world.
Farms turned in to tracks of land not fit for agriculture, this after Zimbabweans invaded the same forcibly removed the commercial farmers and now blames the whites, the farms were destroyed by the very people who invaded them. Isn’t it time for Zimbabweans to accept their own failure to be a nation without the necessity to impart blame on everyone except themselves?
Greed and racially motivated power hungry leaders translates in to the same ideology through the people.
The whole reaction from the West lead by UK stinks. There are so many countries in Africa and elsewhere in the world with dictators and with populations suffering untold and worse misery. The UK and West are hardly bothered. It would be best for the West to focus on it’s own unethical behavior related to over consumption and short sighted socio-economic, environmental and political policy.
The real reason for all the ‘concern’ is that the minority white community (2%) who ‘owned’(i.e. siezed) over 90% of the land have incredible influence in the West (there is a huge White community in the UK who immigrated from Zimbabwe with buckets of cash) and have used it to try to get rid of the man who redistributed land in Zimbabwe. Same situation to the American Cubans who presided over a profoundly unjust system in Pre-Castro Cuba. They do all the can to distort the debate about Cuba in Florida and in the US in general so they can get back to power and steal and lead a profoundly unjust system based on abuse and exploitation of the majority.
How many dictatorships allow elections like Mugabe did? There are a lot worse dictatorships that would not dream of doing this ex. China, Burma, Iraq under Hussein and 10s more. You never hear of them do you? That is because they have no embittered White community that has been dispossessed of unethically and illegally aquired land.
If the West is so concerned about the ’suffering’ of the Black majority in Zimbabwe why the sanctions? There are not hurting Mugabe but rather the common man on the street there. Shame on the West and Western media. The entire reaction stinks of racism and deep dishonesty.
First, I am concerned for the safety of the white colonial European settlers. Are they safe? Do Mugabe’s goons terrorize them?? How many of them are there still. The UK/European governments owe them a modicum of protection at the very least and should not turn their backs on them.
In terms of the government. I believe it should be reverted back to Home Rule..again! (with the help of the US and S. Africa). It is the only way. Rhodesia/Zimbabwe used to be quite prosperous. To return to normalcy, it’s going to take a stable & trustworthy government, some foreign aid/investment, tourism, and good peacekeepers (not UN idiots).
This is a chance for some nostalgic colonial yearning and to do the right thing.