Has Britain failed Zimbabwe?

David Lindsay

The Movement for Democratic Change, Archbishop Pius Ncube, and all other concerned Zimbabweans should issue an appeal to all their fellow-subjects of "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Zimbabwe and of her other Realms and Territories", to aid them in overthrowing the usurpatious tyrant, Robert Mugabe. Is it conceivable that we would not then go to their aid?

Lee Jakeman

David: How about aiding our own underclass first? That's what we elect our leaders for.

David Lindsay

Why not do both?

peta seel

Of course Britain has failed Zimbabwe, but it is far worse than that and not confined to Zimbabwe. For decades, even through the UDI years, Zimbabwe was the 'bread basket' of southern Africa and beyond. This, thanks to the highly efficient and productive farming community. Now billions of pounds of food aid are required throughout the continent costing western tax-payers goodness knows how much, and much of Africa is still starving and Zimbabwe is also starving. This failure goes well beyond the borders of Zimbabwe. I have often heard it said that if Zimbabwe had oil, someone, if not Britain, would have intervened. You can't eat oil. Nor can you put a price on human suffering.

Rolf Shenton

Europe recovered from complete devastation after WW2 in less than 2 decades. African leaders and their elite are only too happy to continue blaming former colonial powers and deposed leaders after 5 decades. Africans must grow up and take responsibility for their corruption ($45 billion's worth/year according to latest Transparency International reports) and complacent implementation. The international community finally wants to bring these issues up at EU/AU summit and SADC leaders are running scared which is why they want to use Mugabe as an excuse to boycott. Forget about Britain she's just the decoy. All donors are guilty of applying double standards in Africa and sustaining poor governance.