(London) Times—Robert Mugabe: a bad man in Africa

Posted by Kendall Harmon

For a man so deluded about his past achievements, Robert Mugabe has a painfully clear understanding of his prospects at the polls. His rivals for the Zimbabwean presidency “may win some seats”, he said recently, “but they cannot win the majority. Impossible.”

Few would gainsay him. Zimbabwe's opposition movement is more vocal than in past years, but more divided. Its voters can expect systematic intimidation this Saturday from police at polling stations. Constituencies have been redrawn in favour of the ruling Zanu (PF) party. The count has been centralised and will be supervised behind closed doors by presidential appointees. There is not even a pretence of fair election coverage in the state media, and in any case voting, for millions, will take second place to the more urgent business of survival. This is why Mr Mugabe's election forecast is likely to be accurate. It is a tragedy for Zimbabweans; it is also proof of a colossal failure of international diplomacy.

Read it all.

Filed under: * International News & Commentary • Africa

5 Comments
Posted March 26, 2008 at 11:02 am [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. chips wrote:

I wonder if they miss Ian Smith yet?

March 26, 2:38 pm | [comment link]
2. John Wilkins wrote:

It always strikes me as odd that we went after Hussein rather than this man.

March 27, 10:14 am | [comment link]
3. Andrew717 wrote:

It is politicaly impossibile to take down the dictator who replaced the white Rhodesian government.  He may by a worthless, corrupt thug, but he’s a black worthless, corrupt thug and that makes all the difference.  Just ask the South African government, which supports him.

March 27, 10:37 am | [comment link]
4. evan miller wrote:

They certainly had it better under Smith than Mugabe.  I guess they would rather be deprived of political choice, robbed, beaten and starved under a black racist regime than be deprived of political choice and live in peace under a white racist regime.

March 28, 1:36 pm | [comment link]
5. Andrew717 wrote:

Huzzah!  Looks like he may be out of office soon.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article3663369.ece

April 1, 4:41 pm | [comment link]
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