It is reported that the Zimbabwean tyrant Robert Mugabe is planning to attend the 3rd EU-Africa Summit to be held in Tripoli, Libya on November, 29-30, 2010. I have no doubt that the dictator will be accorded every honor deserving of a Head of State.
I would like to categorically say that is will be utterly disgraceful for the European Council and European Commission to welcome Mr. Mugabe to the meeting.
In an earlier article, I pointed out how dictators from African countries are cuddled by the western powers who preach against such regimes. Mugabe is at this time marshalling armed violence to stamp on democratic expression in Zimbabwe.
Political prisoners in Zimbabwe, pregnant mothers dying for lack of care, and unemployed youth on the streets of Harare will find it disgustful to hear he is being welcomed to join a conference with the themes of ‘peace, security, governance and human rights’.
This surely does not send any good message to the heroic people who are trying to fight dictatorship, abuse of human rights, violence, corruption and suppression of free speech in Zimbabwe and other African countries.
Mugabe’s rule has been synonymous with massive economic mismanagement, hyperinflation and lawlessness. Human rights abuses are rampant with no remorse. Mugabe and his team pay no ear to external criticisms. Zimbabwe’s economy which was once uncharacteristic of an African country has completely collapsed. Poverty and disease threaten the lives of children and mothers.
Under President Mugabe, life expectancy in Zimbabwe is the lowest in the world; for females it is 34 years, while for males it is 37 years. For comparison, the average life expectancy in Japan is 82. In spite of all this, the president and his family live profligate live. They graciously handed out $300,000 to the Zimbabwean Big brother reality show loser. (A teacher in Zimbabwe earns $5.00 a day). Zimbabwe’s first lady is proudly referred to as the First Shopper. If you ever meet someone with $300 sunglasses and a $40,000 diamond-covering Rolex hanging off her wrist, she’s likely to be the First Lady of Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe.
How insulting it will be for the suffering Zimbabwean masses to see Robert and Grace embracing world leaders who are supposed to represent the exact opposite of the Zimbabwean first family.
It is time for world democracies to do what they preach.
in fact sometimes this is one disadvantage of democracy. the reason they give people like Mugabe & ahmadinejad is to respect democracy. I think sometimes on has to be stubborn like pres Bush and tell these guys we’re aren’t ready to deal with you yet, unless you change your ways.
@ tiffany……i agree with u that mahoud ahmadinejad (iran prez)…..but i think this author wants to hit on african leaders who are not being fair and honest to thier ppl……plus, this site is talkafrique
If Mugabe can go & shake hands with the presidents of the world and be treated as president, why do you think other bad guys on the continent will take criticisms with any seriousness. These guys are just kidding. It’s one thing just mouthing out, and other things acting your word.
It was the pres of Iran they should probably not give him the same respect? why give it to Mugabe? Don’t you have any regard for the african people?