S Africa's Zimbabwe role attacked

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7352404.stm

Zimbabwe needs a change of leadership and of direction. This isn't something that became required all-of-a-sudden in the last few weeks - it had been required for some years now. a refreshing of ideas is drastically needed and in any case, all things must end. As such, Mugabe must, and will, leave power.

Nonetheless, one must always look at the "cause and effect" of situations. Zimbabwe did not arrive at this juncture by accident and certainly not because Robert Mugabe is some kind of demon. He is nothing like Zaire's Mobutu Sese Seko, for instance, - who enjoyed a nice, long relationship with the West of course - as do most of Africa's tyrants (a man installed in office by Belgium - the latter having assisted him in executing the prime minister and forward-thinking nationalist, Patrice Lumumba).

We should recall that the declaration of election victory by the MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, was indeed a criminal offence but more significantly an irresponsible act by a man desperate for power - desperation and the potentiality that he has been "captured" by the West are really the key themes here. Note that in the early 90s, a presidential aspirant (who had a much greater and clearer claim to having won the presidential elections) in Nigeria declared himself winner and died in prison for it.

It was not so long ago that an Englishman, Ian Smith, grabbed Zimbabwe from Britain and held an entire nation to ransom for 14 years before being forcibly removed by Mugabe et al. Perhaps, we should remember also the role played by Britain (esp Thatcher, Major and more importantly, Tony Blair) in the land reform agenda.

I think many people's perceptions about Mugabe betray a lack of understanding of the Zimbabwe condition, one that was started by the "Great" Britain that now seems to be pushing for some kind of moral authority! South Africa understands what its like to be dictated to and humiliated by a minority white government and it was Mugabe and others who ended that for Zimbabwe. That is why Thabo Mbeki will not publicly denounce Mugabe as the dictators in London and Washington would like.

Gordon Brown should shut up and let Zimbabwe sort itself out. And if any external help is required, it will be coming from Africa, not Europe! In any event, since when has Britain cared about any African country? Did it care about Apartheid South Africa, Nigeria, Biafra or Liberia? Does it care about Sudan, Somalia or the Congo? ! ! !