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SCALE OF MUGABE REGIME'S BRUTALITY EMERGES
Tuesday, 24 June, 2008RELATED CONTENT
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Is the international community doing enough about the situation in Zimbabwe? With opposition supporters being tortured, and Zimbabweans going increasingly hungry, what do you think the international community should do?
COMMENTS
First [1][2][3] Lastif the MUGABE REGIME get the same tretment as israel , we be taking up a colection for him sbs shame
No; Mugabe was voted; NBC was not; why do we have to hear about it constantly. It's like human rights in China, what about the people overboard scandal, right here in Australia.
I think the nations of the world should show united strength and purpose and intervene to remove Mugabe and his cohorts asap. If the EU,the African Union and the world movers and shakers were to show some initiative and intervene those supporting Mugabe would probably change loyalies and flee very quickly.The longer they procrastinate the longer these thugs will have their way. Even those around Mugabe are planning their next move and to oust the ageing Mugable and take the leadership for themselves. He knows he is surrounded by traitors waiting to take him out as well. And why not how you treat others is how you will be treated yourself.
NO , THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYWHERE NEAR ENOUGH BUT THEN AGAIN THE PLACE HAS NO OIL , HAS IT
To ABDELWAHAB FROM NT. Well I agree that the West could do more in Africa. But, during the last half of the 20th Century, when all 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation African immigrants, people from Europe, India and Chinese, whose families settled in African countries, such as Southern Rhodesia, Kenya, Bechuanaland (Botswana), Mozambique, Nigeria, Namibia, etc., etc., etc., were kicked out on the accusation that they were not African, they stole all the land, and they dominated the economy. One has to point out that the healthy economies, created by long-past colonial governments, have in almost all cases totally collapsed under the fate of native African tribalism. True, the past colonial masters deserve some blame, but after almost 60m years, I would have thought the African people, themselves, also have responsibility. Look at yourself. You I presume are a new Australian, who immigrated for a better life. I don’t think you would sell any of the wealth you have gained from coming to Australia, with the idea of immigrating back to Africa. After all you are now an Australian. No, I’m sorry ABDELWAHAB, but there is no shame on Australia, or the West, for any of the problems in Africa. The truth is that all the present problems in Africa have been created by Africans. If Africa wants to create the stable social culture found in Australia and reap the rewards which come when a nation builds an economy which works towards the common good of all the people, then all they have to do is change. Last week I had a new client come to me with the offer of a project. This new client was from Nigeria, who is travelling on a British Passport. Strange, the passport says he was born in Manchester, but he has no British accent. Now I live in China and so this was very interesting. The first thing I thought of was - HOW CAN I PROVE THIS PERSON IS GENUINE ?, AND HOW CAN I PROVE HIS PASSPORT IS REAL AND THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO STEAL FROM ME. As you can imagine, I know all about the Nigerian 419 scam. So, shame on you ABDELWAHAB. Western people are not responsible for any of the problems in Africa. Maybe what the real problem is, is Africans coming to terms with their inability of manage, and most importantly, stop the inter-tribal killings and endemic corruption which has crippled Africa since the Europeans, Indians and Chinese were kicked out after independence, for nothing but being too successful at running a modern business. Zimbabwe is a good example of an economy that was healthy and growing while under British rule. Today, the country is a mess thanks to Mr. Mugabe. THE TRUTH, is that Mugabe’s vice is not that Zimbabwe is a poor country, but that he is terrified what could happen to his head if he lost power, and he no longer had the army to protect him from all the enemies he has cheated, imprisoned, and tortured over the past 20 years.
Zimbabwe is dying for one reason and one reason only. The West is too scared to act incase they are seen as being racist toward the Africans. The simple fact of this story is that Zimbabwe has a cancer of hate towards the whites and althose who oppose Mugabe. This is a result of people not ready to govern in a democracy. It took europe hundreds of years of blood letting to get the principals of democracy to even a workable level. We can't expect a tribal culture to implement democracy with any real impact. I'm yet to see it work in Africa or any other tribal based culture.
I agree that the assault and torture of defenseless individuals is a serious injustice. And yes, the state of Zimbabwe's economy leaves a lot to be desired. Regarding these two problems, I think the international community ought to leave Zimbabweans to their own devices. Invading the nation will only bring more suffering and strife as is the case in Iraq. The majority of individuals running the country are the same ones who fought tooth and nail to liberate Zimbabwe from colonial rule, they will not be removed without a stern fight. If the aim is to assist Zimbabweans then abandon all notions of invading the nation. Foreign aid in the form of food, water
Mr Wahab, westerners know a lot about Africa, and even more about how to run a country. That's why western countries are so much better places to live, and why, presumably, you came here. Western countries are constrained on taking action against Mugabe because he would play the "colonialist" card and gain sympathy from other African nations. Action should be taken by other African nations, with some assistance perhaps from western nations. Mugabe's regime is not a democracy by any stretch of the imagination, and as for Zimbabwe being "poor", who put it in that position? Mugabe, and ZANU_PF. Zimbabwe could have been a success story like Botswana, instead it's a basket-case. Mbeke in RSA is supporting his Marxist mate because he's considering "land reforms" like those instigated by Mugabe's regime. RSA is headed down the gurgler in any case. Despite any cynicism about Mugabe, I still think his days are numbered. Perhaps some disaffected ZANU_PF operative will do the world a favour and knock him off.
Why does SBS refer to 'PRESIDENT Mugabe'? In the circumstances shouldn't a simple 'Mr Mugabe' be more appropriate/accurate? After your world exclusive a few years ago (the Ben Manashe assassination 'plot') Zimbabweans would certainly appreciate a more balanced SBS approach.
But what are we do to with Mengistu Haile Mariam? Ethiopia's ruler for 17 bloody years. Wanted for serious war crimes Mengistu was given safe haven in Harare, only it was the United States that secured his safe passage - investigate Herman "Hank" Cohen - the then Assistant Secretary of State. The more you dig here the uglier it becomes. My advice is dig as deep as you can. Who knows one may even find a common denominator.