Zimbabwe: Why Does Nobody Care?

[A_man_about_a_dog]

The question in the thread title is aimed at 2 groups of people, the p.ie posters & the world's leaders.

In relation to the p.ie posters; why is there only a handful (3 maybe 4) posters who show any meaningful interest in the current goings on in Zimbabwe? Do the majority of p.ie posters not care about the atrocious conditions which Mugabe has forced upon the people of Zimbabwe? Do they not care about that one despotic ruler has managed to turn what was the 'breadbasket of Africa' into one of the poorest countries in the world? Do they not care that Mugabe and his party cohorts are doing everything in their power to ensure that democracy does not come to fruition?

And, in relation to the world's leaders; why are they only beginning to show signs of interest in Zimbabwe now? Why did they not show the same interest 4/5 years ago when Mugabe's militias were killing the opposition in higher numbers than they are today? Or when Mugabe and his militias were hell-bent on removing the rightful land-owners from their properties? Why start caring now as his regime is on bended knee? Why have the world's eaders shown such double standards with Mugabe compared to the likes of Saddam Hussein and others?

I'm just curious as to why the above conditions appear to be so, if you think that my observations are incorrect I'd be interested to know why.

Regards,

AMAAD

[inchicore_republican]

I think the reason why the media takes such an interest in what is going on in that country is because the British Government has shown such an interest in it.

[A_man_about_a_dog]

I think the reason why the media takes such an interest in what is going on in that country is because the British Government has shown such an interest in it.

If thats the only reason then why have the media taken such an interest in Tibet? Or why have they previously shown such interest in countries like Burma, Iraq and Iran?

[FrankSpeaks]

I for one do care about the plight of the people under the rule of that despot. He has bullied the electoral commission into not releasing the results of the elections. The South African leader has also got a lot to answer for he was not nearly strong enough in his condemnation of the actions of Mugabe.

[Edo]

I think AMAAD - the problem with Zimbabwe is that the West is very reluctant to get involved because the Africans have told the West that they can handle this and more cynically that Zimbabwe is not threathening anything that would impair or effect the vital interests of the West.

Also everybody is now waking up to the fact that Mugabe is nuts - This election was meant to be the end of Mugabe - fair and square.

The major problem is with the Africans themselves - Mugabe is seen as a hero of the Liberation and Zimbabwe played host to much of the ANC and the other opposition politicans from the surrounding countries. If the West gets to involved - Mubage's demented cries of imperial conspiracy would start to have some relevance and would turn even more of Africa into the hands of the real rising imperial power in Africa - China. China is pursuing the American line of covert imperialism - buying up raw materials and resources and buying off the elites - this suits most of the tinpot regimes in the area down to the ground - no questions asked and no strings attached - strings like democracy and transparency.

Zimbabweans will have to work this one out for themselves - with help from neighbouring countries - The West cannot be seen to be overtly deciding this - the enormity of the Zimbabwean crisis is starting to become apparent to the neighbouring countries - even SA are starting to do something and Mbeki could be the secondary damage in all of this - He is becoming isolated and powerless in his own country for his support of Uncle Bob - Internally - its those around Mugabe, not Mugabe himself is completely gaga at this stage - who are prolonging this to see if they can hold on to their illgotten gains - its a big game of poker at the moment - I know we are in the dying embers of this regime - but there still may be an explosion or two before it finally goes.

Put simply - if the West or I say boo - we'll be dismissed as racists and imperialists - reverse racism if you will - best to leave the Africans to sort this out themselves and they will the stronger and wiser for having done it themselves.

[Thac0man]

In realation to the first qustion, it is apparent that a minority of posters on P.ie actively support non-democratic regimes as long as they are anti-Western. Not only in Zimbabwe but further afield too. If American is not somehow involved or can be blamed in some way, others have no interest at all.

Most I think are put off by Africans own lack of interest in resolving the crises. I have always been a critic of Mugabe and ZANU-PF since this affair started, but even I find it hard to keep pressing my own views when African leaders and indeed people, seem either entirely disinterested or flock or endorse Mugabe. It is also hard to discuss something when more and more people have no interest in discussing an issue that seems never subject to change. Even I am close to the point to writing off Africa.

That last point holds through for world leaders too. World leaders are not willing to alienate those African allies they do have who can act as agents for change. Only grassroots pressure from Africans themsevles has forced change in neighbouring countries attitudes towards Zimbabwe. African nations are now starting to get in sync with the wider international communities calls for more pressure in ZANU-PF.

Another factor is the Wests apparent disinterest lies in the fact that military action absolutly is not a possibility. Not even to support the MDC or protect the people being persecuted. Force and violance (or the threat of them) are crucial factors in much African politics and in this respect the Wests comes to the table bereft of that most important bargaining tool. In this respect Mugabe has complete control. So there is nothing but humiliation to be gained by attempting to engague in diplomacy with a totalitarian regime in Africa, if African leaders are not willing to lead the way.

[A_man_about_a_dog]

I for one do care about the plight of the people under the rule of that despot. He has bullied the electoral commission into not releasing the results of the elections. The South African leader has also got a lot to answer for he was not nearly strong enough in his condemnation of the actions of Mugabe.

The reviewed results have been released, on Saturday.

Zanu-PF failed to get the results overturned in 18 of the 23 districts being reviewed. This means that Mugabe now has absolutely zero chance of winning a majority. Yet the international community is still standing idly by shouting the odd comment from the side line. Its pathetic.

Sanctions and embargoes are the only way to get through to a leader as twisted as Mugabe, and even they might not be sufficient. We need some strong words from the international community and pressure needs to be put on both Mugabe and his african allies. Like I said, embargoes and santions, thats the only way he will ever get the message.

[DOD]

I think people are taking an interest. What do you expect people to do? Go over to Zimbabwe and start gangraping mugabe into submission?

[Thac0man]

The South African leader has also got a lot to answer for he was not nearly strong enough in his condemnation of the actions of Mugabe.

I have to disagree with that. Mbeki woud have had the support of the South African people in seeking to hold Zimbabwe to higher standards. But he misread the situation and thus is was the people, via union activitists, that spelled out what the people want to Mbeki.

[A_man_about_a_dog]

In realation to the first qustion, it is apparent that a minority of posters on P.ie actively support non-democratic regimes as long as they are anti-Western. Not only in Zimbabwe but further afield too. If American is not somehow involved or can be blamed in some way, others have no interest at all.

Most I think are put off by Africans own lack of interest in resolving the crises. I have always been a critic of Mugabe and ZANU-PF since this affair started, but even I find it hard to keep pressing my own views when African leaders and indeed people, seem either entirely disinterested or flock or endorse Mugabe. It is also hard to discuss something when more and more people have no interest in discussing an issue that seems never subject to change. Even I am close to the point to writing off Africa.

That last point holds through for world leaders too. World leaders are not willing to alienate those African allies they do have who can act as agents for change. Only grassroots pressure from Africans themsevles has forced change in neighbouring countries attitudes towards Zimbabwe. African nations are now starting to get in sync with the wider international communities calls for more pressure in ZANU-PF.

Another factor is the Wests apparent disinterest lies in the fact that military action absolutly is not a possibility. Not even to support the MDC or protect the people being persecuted. Force and violance (or the threat of them) are crucial factors in much African politics and in this respect the Wests comes to the table bereft of that most important bargaining tool. In this respect Mugabe has complete control. So there is nothing but humiliation to be gained by attempting to engague in diplomacy with a totalitarian regime in Africa, if African leaders are not willing to lead the way.

It is true, what hope is there if Africans themselves are apathetic to the crises plaguing their continent?

In response though, I think it is worth noting that many Africans know no better than the current (and previous) crises. They have grown up with it and live with it on a daily basis. Until they are shown that real and meaningful change is possible, they will never change their ways. And, the only people who can bring that change (through serious pressure - embargoes, sanctions, negotiations, etc) is the international community. The developed countries of the world need to take a stand and show the people of under-developed countries that they can have a better life.


DOD - you know well what I mean. Most people just have a read of some news reports and go, 'ah, thats terrible'. That is not interest.