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Mugabe Shameless; Mbeki Gutless
Muti ThisThere can be no denying how ugly the Zimbabwean election crisis has become. Mad Bob’s cling to power has reached desperate proportions. Mr. Mugabe received quite a shock in March 2008 when his cronies and youth thugs failed to scare enough Zimbabweans away from voting for rivals the MDC. When you consider it for a moment, it is amazing what the MDC and majority opinion achieved given the Mugabe government’s efforts to subvert the democratic process. Today he swore himself in after “winning” an unopposed election. However, unlike previous coronations, Mugabe was more subdued than usual.
He flies to Egypt today for a meeting of the African Union. His counterparts, including many in the SADC, have been vocal in their critique of his government for creating the intimidating environment leading up to this weekend’s election; 100+ MDC members dead, the homes of MDC supporters burned to the ground and other disgusting attempts to silence the voice of democracy. I sincerely hope Bob Mugabe is NOT recognized by African counterparts as the “leader” of the Zimbabwean people, as a leader must represent the will of the people, of which Mugabe certainly falls short. I have written previously about how desperate the situation in Z. has become - inflation levels reaching exponential proportions, rampant crime, starvation; even slum dwellers complain about the filthy conditions of the shanty towns. How many more cries for help are required here?
Odinga, the PM of Kenya is calling for an AU military intervention and I am confident more than a few heads of state in Egypt (host of the AU Summit) will stay clear of Mugabe. It was great to see D. Tutu and the world’s most respected freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, clearly speak their minds on Mugabe and his regime of terror. In some twisted way, Mugabe probably equates his liberation struggles to that of Tutu’s and Mandela’s: falsely elevating himself to the level of Messiah.
In the 1980s when he tossed out the British a strong case could be made for his crowning as an anti-colonial freedom fighter. A leader of his people. These days, Mugabe is more ridiculous figure than revolutionary. Mr. Mugabe is politically shrewd to continue claims he is part of a global, imperialistic-colonial plot, of which the Zimbabwean Opposition leader must also be complicit…no doubt, those less informed of his destructive and manipulative methods will be fooled by these accusations.
A Disgrace
South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki’s silence on Zimbabwe’s farcical election is tantamount to his tacit support for the Mugabe regime. While Mbeki squeaks like a Mouse; his anti-apartheid colleagues have roared like Lions voicing their public condemnation of Mugabe and his cronies in Cabinet. Further commentary from African Heads of State is welcomed. Mr. Mbeki has always maintained that quiet diplomacy is the solution; working behind the scenes to bridge differences between ZANU and MDC. This is lazy and empty rhetoric from the outgoing South African politician.
Mr. Mbeki’s lack of resolve on Zimbabwe demonstrates to the international community that his efforts to bring peace and stability to Zimbabwe have failed. How many opportunities will the UN and the AU allow before they pull the plug on Mbeki’s role as mediator? His leadership on the crisis thus far has failed to achieve meaningful results for the people of Z. Granted, he is trying to cozy up to a cunning, desperate politician like Mugabe, an individual who lost his grip on reality some time ago. Does Mbeki’s lack of courage reflect an aging politician that doesn’t want to rock the boat?? In the media he often looks tired and defeated; Mugabe has played him like a puppet in a war of attrition.
Zimbabweans should rightly be worried if Leaders at this week’s AU Summit leave the fate of Zimbabwe in Mbeki’s hands. Clearly, he is not capable of making tough demands of Mugabe.
These posts may have related contents:
- Zimbabwe: Opposition to Hold Formal Talks With Mugabe
- The Rabid Dog of Zimbabwe must be put Down!
- Zimbabwe: Thabo Mbeki Under Fire Over Remark
- On Post-Mugabe Zimbabwe
- On Zimbabwe, Mugabe and the 2008 Elections
- Xenophobia in South Africa: Thabo Mbeki hasn’t Received the Memo Yet
- Ten Things that went Wrong in Zimbabwe
- “Only God who appointed me will remove me — not the MDC, not the British” - Mugabe
- Mugabe to Concede Defeat?
- Press Reports Say Chinese Weapons Reach Zimbabwe
Hubert Taylor | Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
I am disturbed by the predominance of articles headlines such as - “Mugabe Shameless; Mbeki Gutless” and “The Rabid Dog of Zimbabwe must be put Down!”.
Surely, a Web site with genuine and fair Africa-connections should at least ensure balance and courtesy on matters Africa. I am disappointed with Africanloft’s editorial balancing act.
For those condemning Zimbabwe and President Mugabe, I say please remember it took 4 centuries of human ‘abuse’ in the USA before all peoples were permitted to vote regardless of the colour and race. In Britain universal voting rights only came into force in 1928.
Where are the shouts against ethno-European killing and destruction in Iraq and Afghanistan? Where were the cries of derision and outrage during centuries of colour segregation and apartheid in Africa? Indeed, one Robert Mugabe had the courage to stand and fight for the honour, self-respect and dignity of Africa and African - similar to proclaimation by people of England in the ‘Rule Britannia song, which includes, “Britons never, never shall be slaves”.
More courtesy and balance please Africanloft - shame on you.
Omotaylor | Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
Dear Hubert, African Loft to the best of my knowledge does not go about soliciting posts on any particular opinion or topic, and if for example you would like to write a piece in favour of Mugabe, you should feel free to do so. African Loft would not cage other people’s opinions and as you have rightly mentioned yours above they are welcome. I am not writing on behalf of the Caretaker or the African Loft administration. I am commenting as an author and member of African Loft who has for over 1 year seen and read balanced essays, comments and arguments. So on one point I beg to differ/disagree with you i.e. African Loft has not since inception done anything to be ashamed of. As you can see, different guest authors who have been so touched by the Mugabe “tyranny” could not help but air their views/disgust. Surely there is nothing wrong with this. I will look forward to your post balancing this argument as I will be very interested in learning from you about the “virtues” of Robert Mugabe. Peace
Omotaylor | Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
@Hubert - PS Please see my follow up comment on your post “For Mutual Respect…”. Read after my comment above.
Hubert Taylor | Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
Omotaylor, thank you for taking the time to speak to me. I owe you thank because it is the past and current contributions by authors as yourself that has sustained Africanloft and thus provide the opportunity for me, a passer-by, to dare to making, clearly provoking, comment.
The “virtues”, as you write, of President Robert Mugabe is not, in my opinion, the issue. I dare to suggest that the issue is one of balance. That we do not beat-up, nor allow to be beaten-up, the ‘little person/country’ as Zimbabwe, without having the courage, as President Mugabe (now and during apartheid), to equally robustly criticise ‘big bullies/countries’ on whose orders and actions, countless thousands of innocent people are being killed, imprisoned without trial and tortured.
If President Mugabe is a demon without ‘horn’, surely, but surely, by fair measure, President George Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair and others, have ‘antlers’.
I will also look to your comment elsewhere - thank you.
Mark | Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
Saw this comment from the longest serving president in Africa - Gabon President Omar Bongo, he speaks from AU summit in Egypt:
“He (Mugabe) was elected, he took an oath, and he is here with us, so he is president”.
pammy | Jun 30, 2008 | Reply
One of the issues is that Mugabe has surrounded himself with slavish sychophants (sp?) who aren’t willing or able to tell him that some of the missteps that he has taken are off. How can anyone with half a brain cell call the election process that took place in Zim an election? Come on how many people disappeared? how many people were terrorized? raped? murdered? That whole process is simply a SHAM and we know it.
The problem is that leaders within the SADC do not really want to get involved because they are scared of the long term implications of involvement. That is simply it. We can make as much noise as we want but until the leaders within that region start saying, “enough” nothing is going to happen.
This is sad day for zimbabwe and my heart goes out to them.
OMO T - well said. African loft runs under the principles of freedom to think, express and be. One reason I enjoy doing what I do here because I know that I will be heard and allowed to express my thoughts even though half of the time no one agrees with it (tongue in the cheek expression — lol!)
Pammy.
Tomas | Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
Nothing quite like getting the debate going! I have enjoyed reading the follow-up commentary to the post I made above - this is the VALUE of African Loft and the online blogging world - what did voiceless global citizens do only a few short years ago without electronic connections…African Loft is the platform, and a damn good one for anyone who cares about the future of Africa and its people.
Now, Mr. H. Talylor, you have added your critique of the article and I welcome these with open arms, but I now offer my rebutal. I find it interesting that in your response you don’t deny the brutality that is happening in Zimbabwe but you seek to excuse it by shifting the focus of attention to America and Britain, countries who no doubt have much blood on their hands.
You mention the Iraq war and the destruction waged by American forces in the middle east. Again, I wouldn’t disagree with you. But I sense by your bringing up these other tragedies in the world - you are deflecting attention off Zimbabwe + Mugabe and not addressing the crimes against humanity that are surely occuring. This cannot be overlooked for sake of convenience.
My point is that just because America and Britain have a history of double standards, I do not see how this should qualify the Mugabe regime of a get out of jail free card? What happened to leading by example - going your own way. Especially when the going get’s tough. Look at how Canada voted against supporting America in the 2003 Iraq War - even though Canada paid dearly for this action through 5+ years of reduced trade with their largest export market. That’s leadership.
Atrocities carried out by certain countries does not provide an excuse for others to hide behind. What would this demonstrate…to be so easily swayed and influenced!!!?? Show some leadership!!! Choose different role models.
omotaylor | Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
“choose different role models”. Oh yes please, like Nelson Mandela, Jerry Rawlings (snuffer with a motive) and Mother Teresa. Peace
Hubert Taylor | Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
Tomas, I agree with you that heinous and inhumane acts of one ethnic-group does not justify any other such act.
However, I urge close examination of the agendas and conduct of the parties involved in an obvious campaign to demonise President Robert Mugabe and the Government of Zimbabwe. So doing, stimulate strife and division among the people of Zimbabwe and Africa generally.
If some of us skip over British-US mis-deeds and others as you say, skip over Zimbabwean mis-deeds then perhaps full and honest account lies in civil, joint, open discussion.
Let us balance (for fairness) the current criticisms of President Mugabe and Zimbabwe with present (not historic) wanton killing and devastation of two sovereign, UN-member countries - Iraq and Afghanistan wrought by warring British-US governments under Messrs George Bush, Tony Blair, and Gordon Brown; an unholy alliance that is now threatening military assault upon Iran.
Views formed for and against President Mugabe should be aired and balanced (for fairness) with greater death and destruction being wreaked now by the British-US special relationship of Anglo-Saxon cousins.
Well done to Canada for opting out of that most belligerent British-US tribalistic cabal.
Regards,
Hubert Taylor
pammy | Jul 1, 2008 | Reply
Botswana the first to say ENOUGH
YES!!!!!!!
Which country will be next?
I bet you it will be Zambia…