Zimbabwe: No Quick Solutions, No Easy Answers
Further complicating the search for a sustainable way forward is the impact of very potent African nationalism. Pressure, in the form of rhetorical condemnation against Zimbabwe, from the U.S. and the United Kingdom is too reminiscent of the Western destabilization of several African governments in the post-colonial period, including Nkrumah's Ghana and Lumumba in the Congo. And, the United States' Cold War manipulations have given this nation a questionable track record in Africa, and Africans have not forgotten.
Africans look at the debacle in Iraq and assess that Westerners pushing for regime change are simply not to be believed. The West is not prepared for the fallout of regime change. They are not prepared to address possible regional destabilization, the loss of life, or the impact of refugees.
Whatever the outcome of the election process, as flawed as it will likely be, increased diplomacy, support for the country's internal actors and for Southern African attempts to create and implement workable frameworks for problem solving, must be central to the U.S. policy making process.
Nicole Lee is the Executive Director of TransAfrica Forum. TransAfrica Forum is the leading advocacy organization for Africa and the African Diaspora in U.S. foreign policy. TransAfrica Forum led the world protest against apartheid in South Africa and today works for human and economic justice for African people on the continent of Africa, in Latin America and in the Caribbean. www.transafricaforum.org
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Zimbabwe: No Quick Solutions, No Easy Answers
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View All Comments »kwame123 at 04/14/2008 2:40:32 AM
Comment:
Why hasn't the author of this article not discussed the 7 years of illegal, immoral and racist sanctions imposed on the people of Zimbabwe? The Anglo-Saxon nations of the US, EU, Australia and Canada are directly responsible for the economic conditions in Zimbabwe. 13 million Zimbabweans are made to suffer because these racist leaders didn't like the Magabe. It is shameful that the Congressional Black Caucus and other so-called Black leaders and organizations stand by and allow Zimbabweans to be terrorised. Yet! most will bend over backwards to support the racist, apartheid and terroist occupying force which is Israel. Are we not ashamed of ourselves?
mdwenner at 04/08/2008 2:54:20 PM
Comment:
This is an apology. The sanctions came in response to rigged elections. You argue as if the West wanted to punish Zim for nefarious reasons. Mug is a liberation hero but he has just stayed in power too long and has lost his way. It is time for a change. What Mug is doing to his own people is unpardonable. Face facts. Do not blame outsiders for all ills. Westerns take advantage of situations when there are weak and corrupt governments. It is in the interest of Black Africa to have good governments, not governments that hurt the majority and only benefit an elite and the foreign devils. Mug has got to go.
mdwenner at 04/08/2008 2:43:35 PM
Comment:
Mugabe has got to go. He has mismanaged if not ruined the economy. He has frustrated the democratic will of the people by rigging elections. He has beaten and imprisoned political opponents. He has given valauble arable land to people who have no background in farming. He has razed urban informal settlements thereby displacing thousands and aggravating poverty.
What more will he have to do to prove that he is unfit to remain in power. The West did not make him do these things. He needs to be roundly criticized by both the West and other African leaders. Black Africa will not progress, if bad leaders are coodled and excuses made for them. He has got to go. The question should be how to help him transition out of power with the the least damage.
Mark Wenner