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Zimbabwe: Mugabe's Regional War Talk
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SW Radio Africa (London)
4 July 2008
Posted to the web 4 July 2008
Tichaona Sibanda
Robert Mugabe has warned neighbouring countries to 'think twice' before launching an attack against his regime.
Analysts say this could be viewed as a direct threat to Botswana, who this week deployed an army brigade with artillery to patrol it's border with Zimbabwe. Botswana described the troop movement as 'a precaution' against trouble spilling over into their country.
Relations between Botswana and Zimbabwe came to an all time low at the Au Summit in Egypt on Tuesday, when they refused to recognise Mugabe's stolen election win. On Friday they reiterated calls for Mugabe's regime to be suspended from the AU and the 14-nation SADC community.
Foreign Minister Phandu Sekelemani told reporters in Gaborone that as a country that practices democracy and the rule of law, they do not recognize the outcome of Zimbabwe's presidential run-off election, and would expect other SADC member states to do the same.
Speaking to his bussed in 'supporters' on his arrival home on Friday Mugabe warned his neighbours to be careful about provoking his government: "If there are some who may want to fight us, they should think twice. We don't intend to fight any neighbours. We are a peaceful country, but if there is a country, a neighbouring country that is itching for a fight, ah, then let them try it."
Botswana's new president, Ian Khama, a former commander of the country's defence forces, has become increasingly critical of Mugabe's rule and the problems it has caused in neighbouring countries.
A military analyst told Newsreel in the unlikely event of a war situation Mugabe's army would struggle to sustain a battle, due to a number of factors.
"The country's airpower is almost ground to a halt due to lack of spare parts, soldiers' morale is low because of poor serving conditions and the state of the economy limits the extent of how long the country can sustain a war. Currently the army is sending it's soldiers on forced leave due to food shortages in army barracks. These are all factors that constrain its operations,"' the analyst said.
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Since independence Zimbabwe has been involved in two wars, both guerrilla and counter insurgencies against MNR rebels who were fighting the Mozambican government and in the DRC, propping up the late Laurent Kabila's government against rebels sponsored by Uganda and Rwanda.
Is Botswana another puppet of the Western Countries? By deploying army at the border, is Botswana not trying cause unrest in that part of Africa? One wonders if Botswana leaders think that their action is helping to create an atmosdphere of peace in the continent. Africans expect a level of maturity from leaders as demonstrated by Thabo Mbeki.
i dont think you know what leadership is. You are one of those empty vessels making noise without content! Do you think it will be fair for someone from your country to opress people. Have you ever been to Zim, and see for yourself what Mr Mugabe has done to that country! Botswana was right to deploy troops there, to quell any violence that may spill in to its territory. and Botswana is right not to recognise a person who was not elected by people. Botswana practices Democracy and they cant support dictators! I guess you dont understand what you... [Read Full Text]
We all know that, Botswana have been long term puppet for America regime. It is for that reason that even Bush (American Dictator) visited their land. Let them alone launch war against Zimbabwe in assistance of America and Westerns. WE in SADC will attack them from different fronts.
SADC is SAD. Brainless people trying to blame everyone for all the terror they do. The English made me kill for Mugabe. The Americans made me torture my neighbor. You must really hate democracy, must be because you fill your pockets with money so your people can starve. Arrest and kill the opposition, stop aid from other countries that care more for your people than you do. Why would americans want your sad country under a dictator when they can vote for who they want, travel anywhere they want. Blessed are the peace keepers for... [Read Full Text]
It's sad that BOTSWANA is picking the western side over it own brother whom they strugled togather to fight the racists ,the hipocrits who almost extermineted them from the earth . the BRITISH the AMERICANs the AUSTRALIANS are in the same bed with BOTSWANA but their eyes are on the land an dthe ressources they don't give a crap about the zimbabwean people . MUGABE is the real leader and they will know it when he is dead . if that western dog TWANGIRAI thinks he is a fighter he shouldn't run away because heros aren't scared to die ... [Read Full Text]
Alain, you are so backward, you cannot see the forest for the trees. When Mugabe comes for you and your family are you going to blame the Americans, the British, Batswana and the Australians. Who is killing Zimbabweans? Just answer that one question please? Who is intimidating Zimabweans? Answer please. What is sad, is that Africans are not principled and hence that is why they lag the rest of the world in every development index. No country or continent of that matter can progess when they government systematically oppresses its own people. Even the Chinese have begun to figure that... [Read Full Text]
One answer to your note is: for centuries who as being killing Africans more than any other nation on earth - they same colonizers. You must be very stupied to denounce a brother who have fought for your rights and freedom and continue to do so at this period of time. You are a dummie!!!! A very stupied donkey dummie!!!!
I will denounce anyone who kills my brother and sisters and denies them there rights yesterday, today and tomorrow. It us you who are stupid, who thinks that oppression can only come in a white visit. When Mugabe and his henchman come to your house, will you say "But comrade Bob, we are brothers?" As he rapes your sister and your mother? Fool.
You wrote: "who as being killing Africans more than any other nation on earth..."? The answer is ... Africans. Before insulting people on the net, just ask yourself honestly (if you can), what do I really know, what did I learnt, about slavery? Who was hunting and selling his neighbors? After some serious studies, maybe you will reconsider your attitude as a systematic victim of the white. You may also reconsider the role of people like Mugabe with regard poverty and violence in Africa. No matter color or origin, hate and greed are common to all of us as could... [Read Full Text]
If my brother was an assassine, he would still be my brother, although I would, as a human beeing reject his behave. Although some of you still thankful for Mugabe´s fight for independence, in this matter he was an heroe indeed, one must not be blind enough to say that he is a great ruler, because he has brought Zimbabwe to starvation, and the economy of the country went down to ZERO. He could be a good soldier, a wonderful commander, but this doesn´t mean that we could become a good poilitican or ruler. Wake up please. The man is... [Read Full Text]
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