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, prior to the summit, 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.
Post published in: Uncategorized