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MEDIAWATCH: Key to saving Zimbabwe is in Africa
Written by: Joanne Tomkinson
Voters wait to cast their ballots in Zimbabwe's run-off presidential election in the the capital Harare, June 27, 2008. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo (ZIMBABWE)
"African neighbours (are) key to saving Zimbabwe," says an editorial in the U.S paper Star Tribune, echoing a common sentiment in the British and American press. "Zimbabwe's neighbours, led by South Africa, have tolerated this tyranny for too long. They should refuse to recognise his re-election," says Britain's Financial Times. With state-sponsored violence accelerating in Zimbabwe and a one-candidate election under way, international condemnation of president Robert Mugabe is escalating. Does the African press agree that its continent's leaders hold the key to solving the crisis in the Southern African country? An editorial in Tanzanian newspaper The Citizen says that Africa must take stern action against Mugabe - "the maker and destroyer of a nation". "It's high time that African leaders, especially through the African Union, took a strong stand to rescue the people of Zimbabwe from tyranny by imposing strict economic and diplomatic sanctions," the paper says. Africa's leaders should put aside their sympathy with Mugabe's land reforms now that the country's once-envied economy has been reduced to ruins and his most dictatorial tendencies have been revealed, the paper writes. In South Africa's Mail and Guardian paper, columnist Mo Ibrahim says that it's not just Africa's political leaders who must make a clear stand, but civil society too. "Our voice must be clear, precise and loud enough to be heard by our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe," he says, urging the people of Africa to make their solidarity with Zimbabweans clear. "We Africans are no longer willing to accept lower standards of governance than the rest of the world. That is why we hope all parties concerned in Zimbabwe can pass that test and see through the peaceful and fair election process, well observed and freely reported," he writes. For Nigeria's Vanguard newspaper, there's something hypocritical about the West's outrage over Zimbabwe. "For the West there are good and bad dictators. Mugabe is obviously a bad dictator," the paper says. "There are many examples of the same Western leaders keeping mute as scores of African leaders ruin their people and cumulatively keep the continent in darkness." But that hypocrisy aside, the paper concludes that: "the world has to save what is left of Zimbabwe from Mugabe." All Africa.com's guest columnist Faten Aggad says that since African leaders have the power to deal with the crisis in Zimbabwe then they should act together. "Clearly, African instruments for dealing with the current crisis do exist. Now is the time to use them in Zimbabwe. Will our leaders, meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, have enough political will to act?" the columnist says, referring to a meeting of African Union leaders in the Egyptian city from the 24 June to 1 July. Botswana's Mmegi newspaper says that the international community should do more. "The international community should not let Mugabe and his henchmen engage in this flagrant disregard for human rights and human decency. The burden is on the international community to ensure that Mugabe plays by the book, that the campaign and elections are free and fair and that the MDC is brought back to a credible election." Ugandan newspaper The Monitor, says African leaders must show much greater commitment to helping Zimbabwe out of its crisis. "African leaders have done little intervention. South African President Thabo Mbeki's efforts have failed and since he wields a lot of influence in the region, he can be dismissed as an outright failure." For the Monitor, the future of the whole continent is at stake if African leaders don't act. "It is time to act on Mr Mugabe else a precedent is being set where any leader can refuse to hand over power even if he/she is voted out of office," the paper writes. "Only decisive action and not Mr Mbeki's dilute diplomacy will get the man to order. It is time for action to save both Zimbabwe and African dignity."
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6 responses to “MEDIAWATCH: Key to saving Zimbabwe is in Africa”
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27 Jun 2008 15:44:16 GMT
I think the ideology that holds the the whole World that there is the west and east is clear to me that there is still accepted colonialism.Why should Zimbabwe be saved by the west,why should africans seek for solutions from their oppressors.I think it is better rigged than be under the western rule,Zimbabwe does not need hope or the west SHE needs solidarity,and that begins in with all Africans worldwide.Africa,Zimbabwe is not for the international communities and that is wishing to say that the international societies hold elementary keys for Africans.Africa Unite this is the cause of western powers
01 Jul 2008 14:22:24 GMT
It is very unfortunate that the west is being seen as a cause for the crisis in Zimbabwe. For God's sake, why do we not want to associate Africa as living in a global village? African Leaders have given Africa a raw deal. Mugabe has shown the world of the abyss of bad governance and dictatorship. Africa stinks of abuse and greed. Stop it!
02 Jul 2008 18:41:27 GMT
The situation in Zimbabwe required God's intervention. There is something terribly wrong with Robert Bob Mugabe. There is terribly wrong with SADC and AU.It is a total disgrace for Africa. Why should we blame the western? I mean, how long shall we blame the west? It is time for SADC and AU to know that Mugabe is hiding behind America or Britain. He is just being archetectual with politics. Can we share how africans concerned with Zimbabwe can converge together, including those Zimbabweans in diaspora to form a front to fight a war against Mugabe? Let people that can help with financies help for the formation of fighters. Otherwise, we are wasting out time and we are being tortured by this man's actions. I will keep on praying for Zimbabwe.
05 Jul 2008 12:18:25 GMT
I respond to statements attributed to one 'President' Robert Mugabe when he returned from the Au summit that any neighbour itching for a fight with Zimbabwe must think twice? This is an apparent threat to Zambia and Botswana who are ardent critics of Zim president over his trasigience and utter disregard to protocals enshrined in the AU and SADC charters on democratic norms esp as it relates to holding elections. Why should anyone in a democratic world be burred from making comments on Zim? Rob is of the view that any critical voice against his conduct is imperialist and subvercive? How delusional? Zim has no money to feed its people, but rob relishes a fight with neighboring countries bearing the brunt of the spill over effects of the economic meltdown in Zim? This man's insatiable appetite for power knows no bounds! shame on you Rob! All your degrees are meaningless without decency and civility on his part. Don't distabilise othe! rs as you ve your own Zim!
12 Aug 2008 11:01:11 GMT
It's quite heartening to note that there is an ever growing call from inside Southern Africa for their leaders to tackle lunatic Mugabe and cronies for their continued murderous actions. Had Mbeki acted 5 years earlier, we would have been spared all the show now. Mbeki has also naively put the cart before the horse by placing the "make or break" point at the end of the agenda of talks concerning who should wield executive power.
Tsvangirai has been quite magnanimous to accommodate lunatic Mugabe as ceremonious President. Sooner Mugabe is dragged before a criminal court, the better it will be for all Zimbabweans.23 Aug 2008 08:49:34 GMT
It must be apparant by now that the reason why most African leaders will not act is because they are petrified that they to will be hauled before the international criminal court viz-a viz The president of Sudan.
They are also under the impression and quite rightly so that should African Countries consoldite their forces to remove the Zimbabwe Butcher the same fate will sooner or later befall them. I am all for a united Africa where it can speak with one voice modeled say on the United States, However I am afraid that the only way I can see such a situation evolving would be by a long bitter and bloody war of conquest by one of the strongest countries on the continant that had a stable central governmentand a srong military command structure.