Mugabe Madness
Today is a sad day in Africa, Robert Mugabe has been sworn in for a 6th term in a country that is falling apart. Some people even argue this fact which is beyond understanding since the numbers tell the story; 3 million Zimbabwean refugees live in South Africa. That is 25% of the countries population as Zimbabwe is rumored to contain just over 12 million people according to a July 2008 estimate. Can you imagine a quarter of a population being forced to leave their own country? Shouldn’t that give an indication to the President that things are not good?
Not in the fantasy land of Robert Mugabe where he might term these 3 million people “malcontents.” The situation is even tougher because of the politics involved. Robert Mugabe is well regarded in Africa for fighting for independence for his country therefore the leaders of the African Union give him a wide bearing. This is understandable but antiquated, how can the leaders of the AU abide by the level of violence and intimidation that preceded the election?
We can rule out an intervention from the U.K because they have their military committed to Afghanistan and Iraq with insufficient capacity for an effective operation in Zimbabwe. Can you imagine the headlines if they did act?
Ex-colonial power reasserts control in Zimbabwe…
The U.S could probably go in with some sort of military force but the PR fallout from such an action would be slightly less than the U.K. The only solution is for the AU leaders to combine their military might and send in a peacekeeping force to ensure free and fair election. Action is not likely to occur soon therefore I urge everyone to write to their designated South African ambassador in their respective countries and urge a greater effort to remove Robert Mugabe since “quiet diplomacy” is currently showing no progress. The address of the South African Ambassador in Washington:
Ambassador Welile Nhlapo
4301 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Van Ness Building, Suite 2200
Washington D.C
20008
June 29 2008 09:44 pm | South African Politics and World Politics
June 30th, 2008 at 11:18 am
It’s odd. The French have intervened in their former colonies in Africa more than once. Of course, it’s usually sharp, short and with a minimum of people; and the French have always turned their noses up at anyone who criticizes them.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
You have described the French quite accurately though I cannot remember the French making any sort of sweeping engagement in Africa in my lifetime anyway. I was watching CNN today and was dissapointed at the lack of anyone talking about Mugabe at the AU. This is where tradition gets in the way of progress.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Bush is to blame for the hesitation in the international community. because of how badly the occupation has gone Iraq, no one want s to vouch for another failed neo-colonial conquest. Did the French intervene in a post-Sadam error? I doubt it. I as a Zimbabwean, know my people and it is in our nature to revolt against an old war hero, no matter how crazy he may have become. Mugabe’s death may be the only thing that can stop him.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Hey Tate, I think you are quite correct, the powers that be are hesitant in general given the global political fallout after Iraq, I can’t imagine anyone assasinating mugabe though,doesn’t he have 24/7 protection?