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Why
Mugabe is a precious asset for African leaders
Nicholas Sengoba, The Monitor (Uganda)
December 18, 2007
http://www.zwnews.com/issuefull.cfm?ArticleID=17941
It showed courage and
solidarity. African leaders drew the line for their European counterparts
prior to the European Union-African summit in Lisbon, Portugal recently.
The Africans insisted that despite his 'blemishes;' including a
poor governance record, human rights abuses, well documented election
thefts and a run-down economy etc, Zimbabwe's autocrat Robert Mugabe
(83) would be part of their contingent or else they would stay away.
It came to pass. So why is it that African leaders audaciously insist
on the company of a 'political leper' when ingenuity suggests that
they wear their 'Sunday best' and carry along 'perfect' relatives,
to avoid critical whispers from the hosts? With Mugabe present,
self respecting critics won't task the likes of President Museveni
to explain why his government in the run up to the election in 2006
locked up his main rival Dr Kizza Besigye. They will 'concentrate'
on Mugabe whose opponent Morgan Tsvangirai, was not only incarcerated
but also badly beaten and left with a few, broken bones, swollen
face and released in a blood stained shirt- completely unrecognizable
in his bandages. Probably African leaders borrow this one from the
bride who is not very confident of her looks. To enhance her appearance,
on the wedding day, she picks a matron who is 'uglier' than herself,
making her come on top in the gaze of the guests. Mugabe's appearance
at any forum makes other African tyrants look more 'appealing'.
Similarly, Mugabe's propensity
to tread where only devils dare carries its own advantages. His
controversial land redistribution policy that attempts to address
an issue left unresolved by Britain, the former colonial master,
is a case study for other countries with a similar problem. South
Africa and Namibia are watching Mugabe with bated breath as he does
the 'dirty work.' Zimbabwe could determine how the matter is solved
elsewhere. No wonder during the EU-African summit, President Thabo
Mbeki of South Africa who all along has been tasked to "rein
in Mugabe," instead called for the removal of sanctions against
Zimbabwe. Mugabe puts those who criticise African leaders in a dilemma
and serves the purpose of robbing them of their credibility and
moral authority. Because all African leaders have governance shortfalls
of varying degrees, the temptation to fish out Mugabe for being
'the worst' exposes the critics to accusations of 'hypocrisy' and
'double standards.' The outgoing Commonwealth Secretary General
Don MacKinnon knows this better. The Banyankore say that, Ku oteera
abaana, obateera boona - meaning that if a self respecting disciplinarian
opts to punish errant children then he had better punish all of
them in equal measure -lest he is misconstrued. When the Ugandan
born Archbishop of York, John Tucker Sentamu lambasted Mugabe and
theatrically cut up his dog collar in protest on television, instead
of receiving applause for "fighting for the rights of the downtrodden
in Zimbabwe" he was ridiculed for being 'parochial.' His critics
reminded him about charity beginning at home - read Uganda. Using
a popular Biblical allusion, they went on to remind him to remove
the log from 'his eye' before embarking on Mugabe's 'speck!'
Because Mugabe has almost
become irredeemable, and has lost the sense of shame he 'just' speaks
his mind like the drunkard at a funeral in the African village setting.
When a rich but 'selfish' member of society dies, to drive a callous
point to the bereaved, the services of the drunkard are enlisted
by 'self respecting' neighbours who buy him alcohol and at times
'coach' him. As the priest implores the attentive mourners to emulate
the deceased who was a "generous and invaluable member of society"
the drunkard disagrees with him at the top of his voice. "If
he was that good, why did he fence off the village well" or
"why do his neighbours go hungry yet bananas rot in his garden?"
At this point the drunkard will be shoved away as he ridiculously
yells about how the dead man was in the bad habit of 'poaching'
on poor men's wives etc. Some mourners will then whisper to each
other about how the drunkard "has misbehaved but spoken the
truth!" When Mugabe at international summits blasts Gordon
Brown of Britain, or Angel Merkel of Germany for interfering in
African affairs because of "colonially influenced" racial
condensations and "arrogance" he effectively plays the
role of messenger for his timid colleagues who accept humiliation
in order to qualify for aid and avoid sanctions. His militant and
maverick behaviour dictates that when provoked his responses are
usually undiplomatic and quite embarrassing. To avoid being called
epithets, it is smarter for the host of a group of African leaders
to 'keep clear' of speaking about issues that may annoy Mugabe.
His presence influences at best the watering down of human rights
and governance issues or at worst keeping them off the agenda. His
African peers may not worry any more about scrutiny and embarrassment
at international meetings.
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