Former Ethiopian dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam's long escape from justice seems to be coming to an end following renewed and intense calls by the MDC that his extradition to Ethiopia is 'high on the agenda' of the new unity government.
As one of Africa's worst murderers, Mengistu fled Addis Ababa almost two decades ago after overseeing what has been described as one of the bloodiest terror campaigns to be inflicted on political opponents by a head of state. He killed opponents on a genocidal scale and last year, a High court in Addis Ababa sentenced him to death in absentia.
He has been living in the luxury north Harare suburb of Gunhill under the protection of Robert Mugabe's regime. But, according to press reports, Mengistu's future in the capital looks less assured, especially in light of of the all inclusive government that is set to be in place by the end of next week.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa is quoted saying the country should not be a safe haven or resting place for serial human rights violators like Mengistu, adding 'we can't shelter purveyors of injustice.'
Jonathan Chawora, a former assistant commissioner with the Zimbabwe Republic Police said he fully supports Chamisa's call, saying it will deter African leaders from committing serious crimes in the future, who then hope to seek refugee status in friendly countries.
"What I don't know at the moment is, do we have an extradiction treaty between Zimbabwe and Ethiopia? The other thing that could hinder sending back this monster quickly," Chawora said.
Even after Mengistu was given a death sentence for his crimes by the Ethiopian government last year, Mugabe flatly refused to extradite the man who helped to arm his ZANLA guerrillas during the country's 1970's liberation war. Mengistu is also said to have been one of Mugabe's main advisors during the 2006 Operation Murambatsvina, the governments widely condemned 'clean-up' operation that saw over 700 000 people displaced.
Mengistu seized power after a military coup in 1974 that ended Emperor Haile Selassie's 44-year rule and ushered in one of the bloodiest regimes Africa has known.
In 1976 he mounted the 'Red Terror' campaign against dissent, and over a period of ten years more than half a million people were thought to have been killed in what observers called 'one of the most systematic uses of mass murder ever witnessed in Africa.' He fled to Harare in 1991 when Mugabe sent a charter plane to pick him up from Addis Ababa after guerrilla forces led by the current Ethiopian president Meles Zenawi toppled his regime.
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He will be dying as he had prostate cancer any way. What are they going to gain by extraditing? Just let him die where he lives. He seems like not enjoying his life as he lives out of his own country.
This criminal should not get on moments peace! He is certainly getting much better than what he gave. He should pay for what he has done having cancer is not an excuse for prior bad behavior. All African leaders who have destroyed there countries should be punished. It's real simple not complicated at all.
The Gate Keeper
Extraditing criminals is not simply a matter of exacting punishment on the criminal; it serves as a deterrent to other would be criminals when they learn that even the safest haven may no remain as such. For that reason Mengistu should be extradited. In this case it simply will not happen as Mugabe will not allow someone whose crimes may be likened to the Gukuruhundi atrocities to face justice. It sets a bad precedence for him.
In any event, I believe that it is not possible under international law to extradite someone to a country where capital punishment is practised. Perhaps the lawyers on this web site could confirm or correct this.
Dying in degnity is god given right to decent people. He is a scum bag who did denied that simple right to thousand of people. He deserves to die in a cave then disappear like his victims. By the way what do you know about living out of owns country? There are some of us who had not seen our families for 25-30 year because of him. I hope the above comment will educate your pin head.
MDC shall run for workable agendas to end its people sufer- problem of food clean water,quality education,peace etc. Have to use this opportunity to show zimbabwe people and mr mugabe its roll as part of the unity govt to bring rconcilliation,prosperity, economic developmentin the least instant possible. But shall not waste time incalculating to revenge what has been done in the past. B/se such an act/atempt by MDC may send a negative message to mr.mugabe. After all, whom u plan to blease by doing so? the ethiopian people, for sake of justice or EPRDF.I think EPRDF-the one working same as mengstu, in a more tactical and crule manner. So doesn't deserve[has no morale]to judge mungestu,nomaterhow a serious murderrer he was.
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