Follow Obama’s Good Example

Well done Barrack Obama! The Democratic front runner has done what so many African leaders have failed to do and critisised Robert Mugabe for not releasing the results of the election held on March 29th. The US Senator was unafraid in his words. He said that the people of Zimbabwe were tired of Mugabe’s failed policies, which have reduced the country from the breadbasket of Africa to a basket case. This is leadership. The Zambian President, Levy Mwanwasa, has called for an emergency meeting of the Southern African Development Committee. This is in contrast to Thabo Mbeki’s call for patience and the deafening silence ringing out from the State Houses and Palaces of other African leaders. In the spirit of African unity we must do all that we can to help our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe by forcing Mugabe and his party to release the results or leave office. It is becoming clearer by the day that there is trickery afoot.

The BBChas hard evidence that Police officers were ordered to vote for Robert Mugabe before the election so the mind boggles at the thought of what is going on behind the scenes at the moment with regard to the results of the ballot.

Our neighbours in Senegal have shown their leadership and their Pan-African justice credentials in recent days by changing the constitution to allow for the trial of the ex-Chadian leader Hissene Habre. The man, described as Africa’s Pinochet, is accused of human rights abuses during his eight years in power.

This is the kind of action that we need to see on the continent. All nations must support their neighbours and ensure that justice is available to all African people. It is too late to save the people of Chad from this man but at least they can get a form of justice if he is tried.

It is not too late however for the people of Zimbabwe. All African leaders must speak out against this mockery of democracy. The power is in the hands of all African leaders to stand up for the people of Zimbabwe because it is now crystal clear that Robert Mugabe is putting his pride, power lust and well being before that of his people. It’s reported that Mugabe and other African leaders were expecting an easy ride from Barrack Obama because of his African roots but this young man has once again risen above the issue of race and put truth and justice ahead of everything else. If he is elected to the office of United States President the unjust in Africa can expect a torrid time. African leaders who are fair and just, do not cling to power, don’t persecute journalists and put the needs of their people before their own can expect the support and friendship of the worlds most powerful nation and its President.