Is there anybody worse than Robert Mugabe?
Monday, March 12, 2007 More than a dozen key figures from Zimbabwe’s main opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were arrested on Sunday after holding an ‘illegal’ prayer rally (for a rundown of the events go here). MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is reported to have been severely beaten and tortured by the police—some reports claim that he’s fighting for his life—and it’s probably a pretty safe bet to assume that most of the people arrested weren’t exactly treated hospitably by Robert Mugabe’s thugs.
Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since it gained majority rule twenty-seven years ago. Zimbabwe currently has the highest rate of inflation in the world (at over 1,700% and climbing) and the lowest life expectancy in the world (at 34 years for women and sinking). It also has an 80% unemployment rate. Mugabe’s poorly conceived land reform activities have directly led to massive food shortages that could result in the deaths of thousands of innocent people and his “Operation Drive Out Trash” in 2005 affected, according to the United Nations, at least 2.4 million people in Zimbabwe (most of whom were politically opposed to Mugabe) by destroying their homes and places of employment.
The media is often criticized for reporting only bad news from Africa. It’s sometimes a legitimate criticism but, then again, when you have people like Robert Mugabe running things in Africa what is the media suppose to do? Things are so bad in Zimbabwe that it is almost incomprehensible. Mugabe may not be Hitler, he may not even be Saddam Hussein, but he is without a doubt one of the worst human beings on the planet and he has been that way for a very long time. He may have had good intentions thirty years ago, he may have even had good intentions twenty or twenty-five years ago, but his current intentions clearly do not serve the vast majority of people in Zimbabwe and they haven’t severed the people of Zimbabwe, or the people of Africa, for a very long time.
Mugabe is a cancer. He is one of the biggest reasons why most of the news reported from Africa is bad news—another reason is because the giants on the continent, people like South African president Thabo Mbeki, refuse to speak out against Mugabe.
Perhaps one day soon Mugabe will be gone and perhaps one day soon the citizens of Zimbabwe will be able to taste what real democracy is like. Perhaps there won’t be four-digit inflation, an 80% unemployment rate, and a rock bottom life expectancy. Perhaps Zimbabwe will hold legitimate elections and have an opposition party that doesn’t fear for its life. Perhaps there will no longer be a need for Thabo Mbeki or any other legitimate African leader to speak out about the monstrous president of Zimbabwe.
Unfortunately that day has yet to arrive. But it might be equally unfortunate that we hear nothing but silence from the rest of Africa. As long as absurd ‘leaders’ like Robert Mugabe are sitting in state houses across Africa there will always be colossal, incomprehensible, problems on the continent. Wholesale, enduring change will never happen until the true leaders and the people of Africa stop putting up with the likes of people like Robert Mugabe.
Reader Comments (10)
You are a moron. How can you look at that situation and come to that conclusion? Just tells me you are an unintelligent black man that only places value on skin color.
That was then, now it is adifferent concern.
The good news for some Zimbabweans, is the safe haven offered by Zambia, allowing Zimbabweans to work ( on the streets ) selling biscuits & sending the money home to feed Their Families.
Now thats sacrifice.
In 2005 I went to Zambia first time to visit a long time corresponding Friend, who travels Zambia as a food inspector & shuttles food to remote area of Zambia.
I spent 3 months in Zambia April 15 to June 07, the very ( near ) dates when Mugabe began His sad unrest in Harare, while I was in Victoria Falls.
I went over for the day and the security said better I not go far for my safety.
Fortunately Canadians usually received well by Zambian / Zimbabweans.
Also in my daily co-exsistance with the People of the Compounds, where I stayed, no hotels, I spoke to Zambians & Zimbabweans who then told their story of past problems.
Most certainly Our Western Government could apply pressure and it is not easy placing sanctions without hurting the People, though we can only hope Europe will agree in unity to make a move, while Britian cannot decide alone without the UN and the E.U.
Then there is Ethiopia 17 years without rule and no one has helped to stabalize that Country, not even Africa.
The inside news of Africa in Neigbouring Zimbabwe is, that if other nearby Countries wanted to step in physically, most of those Countries cannot afford to put troops and armor together, well except the only Country that would accept arms from China, that being ANGOLA, while other neigbouring countries refused to accept arms for Mugabe.
One hopes that if The S.African Leader Thabo Mbeki is denied some of the westerns' goods trade and offeres He may have to in turn pressure Mugabe.
T.Mbeki may be playing both sides with consequences from His own African Leaders, so He may be feeling the squeeze soon.
I would like to invite any one from Zimbabwe who lives in the East of England to share thoughts and more.
Interested in return trip to Zambia and possibly trip to Zimbabwe next year or thereabouts.
Would like to travel with anyone going to that region.
I may stay 2 months this time.
Though this time I spend less time in big cities like Lusaka, the rual areas I am more interested in experiencing.
I did see some small villagers near Lusaka.
The reception in Zambia was so good, hardly anyone made negative comments, the secret is not too be deligative, dictative, talk down to Africans, or disrespect Their land, and not appear to be bossy like the Americans I encountered there. Some flexing their attitude muscles of power.
They have some things to learn like sharing and when You go to American areas, they have the Streetlights, but the City street lights and traffic lights rarely work so how bout the Americans dig in to pockets and share the wealth while living on African soil.
It pays not to be seen as better than others and Westerners can be good at showing off to the Africans, and some feel offended I am told.
I had three months to ask opinions of Africans of Westerners.
When negociating a price for craft items, the Americans and British need not be too stingy with negociating, after all whats another pound or two.
I gave them benefit and allowance since They need money and haggling to the lesser is too shrude, and underminds the work that goes in to these crafts.
This I watched at a Cultural Arts and Crafts Centre in Lusaka.
So leave the bargin haggling at home and spare an extra dollar or pound to the African Craftemen/women.
Sad to say there are a number of mis behaved Westerners taking Their egos and showoff skills to Africa.
There is a time and place for that.
We would want Africans to also respect same.
Many Africa Zambians have told me how some behaviour by Americans and some Westerners are offensive and belittling.
Paul
This is also to say that Africans have also expressed positive views from the caring and kind mannered Westerners, so not meaning to leave out Those who have been a good example toward the African people.
Sadly alot of Wetern Charities, and efforts made have also gone spoiled by the corrution from the bottom up.
The Anti _ Corrution Building in Lusaka have some of the best cars in the City ( :
Petero Stns & Stationary shops still sell streetyouths glue & petro mixed in softdrink plastic bottles, on the streets high and making more money on the streets than the Government can offer them.
I hope the web can be a positive tool to bring stablization to Zimbabwe.
Zambia is stable by far compared to Zimbabwe, one time known as N & S Rhodesia.
Paul
and petro, not petro, ( spelling errors ).
Paul