Lagos — The recent swearing-in of Robert Mugabe as the President of Zimbabwe for the sixth time has elicited near global condemnation and we align with those condemning the aberration.
President Mugabe, 84, had in total disregard for the feelings of the Zimbabwean people and the international community stood as the sole candidate in the country's recent run-off presidential election.
The current crisis in Zimbabwe started shortly after the general elections held on March 29, when his 28-year long rule was challenged by Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and Simba Makoni, former Minister of Finance in Mugabe's administration who contested on the platform of a breakaway faction of the MDC.
The results for the legislative election, which the opposition won with clear majority was released in record time by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission as stipulated by law. But having realised that the general election results could tilt in favour of the opposition, the Mugabe-led government stalled the process of releasing the tally, prompting international criticism of the delay and raising concerns that attempts were under way to manipulate the result.
The tallies posted at the polling stations reportedly showed that Tsvangirai won 47.9 per cent of the votes, barely enough to gain the majority needed to avert a run-off election against Mugabe while Mugabe, the incumbent, got a total of 43.2 per cent, which also fell short of the total number of votes required by law. This development culminated in the run-off election of June 27.
The run-off was characterised by open intimidation. Opposition members were killed, arrested, detained and generally brutalised.
The opposition party pulled out, citing violence and intimidation by the ruling party as the main reasons. Tsvangirai took refuge in the Dutch Embassy in Harare. The argument of the opposition was that the run-off could not be free and fair since its people were being haunted down, maimed, imprisoned and killed. It cited the case of Tendai Biti, the opposition party's Secretary-General, who has been on death row courtesy of a treason charge against him.
Serious opposition against Mugabe did not start today, but over a decade ago. People became agitated over his style of leadership and demanded a total change. Like a typical African sit-tight leader, Mugabe ruled with draconian laws. He altered the country's Constitution, giving the Presidency more power to appoint 30 people into the parliament as well as installed indefinite term of governance. He abolished Parliamentary system of government and adopted Presidential.
We acknowledge the fact that Mugabe was a hero of independence, having fought the colonialists to a standstill. We also acknowledge his struggle for the independence of his country and the tribulations he personally went through during the struggle. We recognise the fact that he was once in the vanguard of the glorious Black Nationalists in the mould of Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Sam Nujoma, among other great sons of Africa.
But that image of a freedom fighter has outlived its relevance. The image that now looms large is that of a power drunk old man who has lost touch with the basic needs of his people and the tenets of democracy.
Mugabe is not alone in this special class of sit-tight leaders. Africa has had a long history of such, including Idi Amin of Uganda, Jean Bedel Bokassa of Central African Republic, Macias Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, Paul Biya of Cameroun, Omar Bongo of Gabon and Mwai Kibaki of Kenya.
This, therefore, must explain the tepid response of most other African leaders to the Zimbabwe crisis and their reluctance to condemn Mugabe's actions. Most of them lack electoral legitimacy and moral authority to call him to order. As the popular adage goes, those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. This attitude represents nothing but the failure of African leadership.
We urge Mugabe to ponder over his actions. Is this the Zimbabwe he dreamt of many years ago? Zimbabwe today reportedly has 80 per cent unemployment rate and the world's highest inflation rate of 165,000 per cent. The country is now noted for extreme poverty, homelessness, unemployment and instability.
We condemn strongly the failure of African leaders to persuade Mugabe to behave decently by vacating office honourably.
We call for a National government in Zimbabwe on the basis of the March 29 general elections. The so-called run-off election was a farce, undemocratic, and therefore, a non-event. The legitimacy of any government, which does not reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people, is not acceptable.
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Well said but to LATE if you see the defense some people put into defending the OLD BOYS of Africa there is no HOPE for Africa. Africa's People are so brainwashed by communist ideology and capatilist ideology they dont have any rulers or aspirant rulers who think of what is best for there country,s .Building up their agriculture base, building roads and power stations ,factorys to convert the raw materials to products to export. But there is a constant blame blame blame, on anybody , else but themselves. The Chinese and Asians are also here to rape the re- sources and they support the DESPOTS by giving them arms and ammunition to rule forever. Then there is the RACIST AFRICANS whose racist remarks are never discussed at all, so tell me IS IT "BACK TO THE FUTURE" for Africa
Deonboth, There is hope in africa if you look else, other than Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is not Africa nor is it representative of the entire 54 independent countries. Your statement is hyperpolic that focuses too much on Zimbabwe and not progress else in Africa
Excellent comment, and almost an exact inventory of what Zimbabwe had when Mugabe took power, unfortunately the inexperienced and unskilled people he put in place ran them into the ground.
Are you an African? l doubt it! You are so detarched and patronising and you sound very missionary. A missionary start from the premise that he is the only one who is enlightened and the rest have to submit to him if they want to be saved. A good missionary keeps on changing the goals. You have no respect for Africans and what little dignity they have ... How dare you compare us to Europeans? Was Europe abused and exploited by by Africans? Do you know what it means to have no power over events controlling your life? Are you aware that is the ordinary person who suffers from sanctions imposed on a country? You dont care beause the end justifies the means. Let go of Africa Dr Davi Livingstone !!!
Just for information here, the sanctions that are being talked about are not being imposed against Zimbabwe, they are being imposed against the personal assets and travel of the ZANU heirachy outside the borders of the country. The only realistic way that this form of sanction can harm anyone else is if the ones affected steal further from Zimbabwe to fund their extravagant lifestyles, which again places the problem directly in their hands.
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