The MDC pulls out of Zimbabwe poll, leaving Mugabe to run unopposed

Perry

A DISGRACE for Zimbabwe.

A DISGRACE for Africa.

A DISGRACE for ‘Europe’.

A DISGRACE for the ‘West’ and the ‘civilised’ world at large.

Who does that leave?

Familiar Clown

"If people bring so much courage to this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterwards many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry."
-From: A Farewell to Arms,
Ernest Hemingway

bob

It would seem an intelligent move. The ball is now in the international community's court.

Having said that the methods may be different but the EU is no better than Mugabe in terms of its flagrant ignoring of its electorate.

We have seen many times in the past where absolute power leads, the EU may not be killing many of us yet but would anyone like to take a large bet that they won't start?

Fergus Pickering

African nations will do nothing at all. Bet you a tenner. Any takers?

Augustus

In my book, the winner is the man who sacrifices his position to save his people. I only hope the leaders of the world make this clear.

Elizabeth

Why could Blair interfere in Sierra Leone yet Brown cannot interfere when its a member of the Commonwealth?.
There is no will to stop the murder and violence in Zimbabwe. No oil, drugs or other 'goodies'.
The murder of whites are just shrugged off, thousands are being murdered in South Africa and the media just blacks it out (no pun intended).
But apparently the Black Zimbabweans are the 'wrong sort' of black. Who other than the Sierra Leonans are? The distinction seems unclear.
After all, for goodness sake Thatcher ignored the 20,000 Matabele murdered in cold blood after she and her wets had betrayed Ian Smith and handed the country to this thug.
Sir Robert Muldoon the late Prime Minister of New Zealand (who had the guts of a lion) once described Mugabe as 'Just down from the trees'.
His critics must be embarrassed now - although what it takes to embarrass people like Peter Hain , heaven knows.
Both Rhodesia ans South Africa are cot cases of bloodshed and economic collapse. The anti-apartheid movement certainly own goaled.
Many of us predicted it at the time.

JDR

Mugabe was reported saying that only God could remove him from power. He is probably right - and the divine messenger will be Death. After that there will be no legal or constitutional way of appointing a successor acceptable to the whole country without outside intervention. If the ruling junta, or part of it, resists Zimbabwe will become a failed state.

Max Kaye

I agree with bob.

I can just imagine our EU masters looking at Mugabe with envy and wondering how they can emulate his tactics - but, for now, without the overt violence.

CG

I wonder what 'Saint' Nelson of Robin Island will have to say about it?

Aidan

Elizabeth, I agree that there is no moral distinction between Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe, but there is an unfortunate practical distinction. Sierra Leone could be and was invaded from the sea, but Zimbabwe is land-locked. We cannot invade Zimbabwe without crossing the territory of its neighbours, none of whom would agree to allow our troops to pass

Lance

The UK and the Commonwealth sacrificed Rhodesia to assuage their colonial guilt, and became the midwives of political correctness in Africa. Since then, they and the rest of the West have cheered and booed from the touchline, thrown money at the problems, but shown no commitment to human progress in Africa.

Bob

Mugabe says he will rule till he dies so why doesn't somebody put a bullet in his head and even thats better than he deserves.

Fash

This is simply a conundrum to me, You look at the news everyday, and hear of people dying in that country, suffering, political propaganda at it's blatant worse, bullying, exploitation and to an extent slavery of the Zimbabuan people by it's government, and yet countries and Councils who have the power like the US, UK, EU, NATO, Common Wealth, Leage of South African Nations, e.t.c. just stand by and watch, occasaionally shedding a word or two on their "Disaproval" of the situation yet do nothing!

It's like watching a man get beaten up half to death, humiliated, then burnt in the street, while you say "This is wrong" then walk away.

Gillian Toosey

I agree with Bob.
The SAS should have gone in long ago.
Gordon Brown, do something - now!