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| Opinion |
| Editorial |
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by
Editor, 04 May 2006
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05:03:01
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Don’t spare the whip on Mugabe
With the enthusiasm that government has demonstrated in hosting and honouring President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, there is a danger that we could fail to seize the opportunity to chastise the Zimbabwean leader on a number of crucial issues that have made him a virtual pariah in the community of respected nations.
The point raised by the Law Society of Malawi that government should not spare the whip on this controversial son of Africa—is very pertinent, considering that the rule of law and respect for human rights are the centrepiece of a democratic culture.
As we said the other day, the tragedy with Mugabe is that he seems to revel in the fact that his record on different facets of his administration borders on the atrocious. At a time when one would expect him to take a hard look at himself and listen to the voice of reason, he arrogantly and blithely looks the other way, peddling some misguided nationalistic mantra and putting out an image that he is only a victim of Western machinations.
As the records amply show, no one has benefited from his empty talk and disastrous policies, as evidenced by the load of hardships under which Zimbabweans are straining. The people of Zimbabwe, like citizens of any other country, deserve a leader who can give them hope that come tomorrow they will be able to have a decent meal on the table and go about their lives without worrying about who is trailing them.
Which is why we Malawians should avoid giving Mugabe the impression that his visit to the country is a triumph of villainy over the higher good we all endeavour to achieve. His visit to Malawi should be a sobering moment for him so that he returns home a sober leader, and not the tormentor of the people of Zimbabwe. |
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