The summit is being overshadowed by the media frenzy surrounding
Robert Mugabe. It is very unfortunate that the European Union bowed
to demands from the African continent for Mugabe to attend the summit.
It is abundantly clear that Mugabe will be the last person to talk to about
Human Rights, Peace, Trade and immigration.
His record on human rights is clear to everyone and more importantly his
lack of capacity to negotiate and compromise is legendary. His land reform
was implemented with a total and medieval disregard for the environment.
Around four million Zimbabweans have left the country in the last seven
years to escape poverty and political repression amid speculation that
Mugabe has in the last months been deliberately promoting migration
to neighbouring countries in order to weaken the opposition ahead of
2008 presidential and parliamentary elections.
I have no doubt in my mind that Mugabe` s presence at the summit has
nothing to do with the objectives of the summit apart from serving his
ego and his desire to get one over Gordon Brown and the British
government. The people of Zimbabwe can expect very little to come
their way from the summit.
It seems to me, though, that other African countries may not be in a much
better position than Zimbabwe. It was shocking to hear some African
leaders being more vocal about Mugabe` s participation rather than
representing the interests of their citizens. For example, I am sure
many Zambians would have wondered whether President Mwanawasa
was talking on their behalf or on behalf of Mugabe, when President
Mwananwasa threatened to boycott the meeting if Mugabe did not
attend.
Besides the distraction of Robert Mugabe the objectives of the summit
are quite noble, if at all the talking can be matched with action. I
strongly believe that there is a need for fair international trade towards
Africa. However this has to be matched by a fundamental change in culture
on the African continent if there is going to be major changes for
the better in the lives of Africans. Corruption needs to be tackled
with more zeal and good governance is a pre-requisite for progress.
Migration will never be stemmed as long as Africans
do not feel economically secure in their countries, as long as
uninspiring leadership continues , as long as there is nothing
to give hope to our young people and as long as repression continues.
How many times have we heard African leaders publicly targeting
high economic growth rates of say 7% in their plans? Instead we
seem to be bombarded by endless and uninspiring anti- western
rhetoric.
How many times have we seen a total disregard of respect for public funds
by governments, people in the opposition and people in the civic society?
There is no hope for Africa if everybody is quick to blame and nobody takes
responsibility.
Jonathan Chawora
Birmingham.