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Monday 7 July 2008

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Not black and white

Sir: Marian L. Tupy deserves thanks for his excellent article (‘Mugabe is the Mobutu of our time’, 22 March), despite one seeming inaccuracy and an omission. Tupy says, ‘It was 1980 and Zimbabwe had just gained independence from Britain... the first ever multiracial election gave Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union a majority.’ To the contrary, a universal franchise election in 1978 brought a coalition of Ian Smith’s Rhodesian Front and Bishop Muzorewa’s Democrats into office. Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo had been invited to take part but refused. Some 70 per cent plus of the electorate participated, with a significant majority voting for a dual system of government in which Muzorewa and Smith would alternately occupy the position of prime minister. The election was declared free and fair by the world press. Britain funked recognition because Commonwealth democrats such as Presidents Kaunda of Zambia (of Chinsali massacre fame) and Nyerere (the despoiler of Tanzania) objected, threatening continued provision of insurgent sanctuaries in their countries. It was Britain’s last opportunity to ensure continuance of democratic government in Zimbabwe–Rhodesia.

Tupy goes on observe, ‘In 1982, Mugabe turned on his once comrade-in-arms, Joshua Nkomo..., and unleashed his special forces trained by the North Koreans on Nkomo’s supporters in the Matabeleland, killing some 20,000 in the process.’ He could have added, for the edification of readers, that shortly thereafter our then spineless government procured a state visit by Mugabe to Britain, with the Queen suffering the indignity of having to invest Mugabe with a knighthood and, furthermore, invite the tyrant to spend a night at Buckingham Palace.

Tupy is certainly correct in describing Mugabe as the Mobutu of our time. It is worth remembering, however, that we put him where he is — but it is the people of Zimbabwe, black and white alike, who are paying the price.

R.L. O’Shaughnessy
Ipswich, Suffolk

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