It is time now to intervene in Zimbabwe
June 24, 2008 8:07 am Canadian PoliticsMugabe was a hero for decades, the man who got independence for Zimbabwe(then Rhodesia) in 1980 and has ruled and ruined Zimbabwe since then. At one time Zimbabwe was known as the ‘bread basket of Africa’ for its success in agriculture, but today millions are starving and fighting for a morsel of bread in Zimbabwe.
Mugabe’s downfall started with him targeting Ndebe tribe and since 1998 has been targeting white farmers and business owners who were the back bone of the economy. While he has a history and record of discrimination and policies that are not considered the best for Zimbabwe, people both domestically and internationally has tolerated him for his role as the independence hero. That goodwill factor has started to erode since the 2008 elections and his evil visions have overtaken his good karma points that he earned decades ago.
It is time for the UN to intervene and protect the people of Zimbabwe, but also set a positive example to other dictators, that human rights violations will not be tolerated and we do not fight for democracy only in oil rich states. Namibia, ally of Mugabe is looking to redistribute white owned farms to black villagers, like Mugabe did.
Any intervention should include South Africa, AU and UN with the support of neighbouring countries like Mozambique, Zambia, Angola and Dr Congo that has influence with Mugabe.
While NATO forces including Canada are over stretched in counter terrorism missions, it is important for us including EU to pledge and commit aid dollars for Zimbabwe in the case of foreign intervention or negotiated settlement with Mugabe that will see him leave Zimbabwe and have free and fair elections thereafter.
Canada has for too long been out of the international peace brokers group and continues to miss opportunities in the Middle East and Sri Lanka. We can play a vital role in Zimbabwe in assiting South Africa and AU towards a negotiated settlement that will see peace and restoration of democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe. Do the Conservatives have the expertise to transcend in that direction, that is a million dollar question.
