The Wardman Wire

What moral standing do we have over Mugabe?

The latest cholera outbreak looks set to kill thousands and one of the most vicious and callous dictators in the world today is standing idly by blaming British colonialism and just about everyone else he can. Surely the time for talking is reaching its conclusion and the time for action is upon us? But in this post Iraq and dodgy dossier days, can Britain really afford to engage in another war and what moral standing does it have to topple Robert Mugabe?

Our reputation has been damaged

There is no doubt that Britain’s reputation in international events has been damaged by the ongoing events in Iraq. The lack of a UN mandate and the lack of any weapons of mass destruction being found have seriously affected the electorate’s appetite to trust our government to take military action. The weariness of our military is also showing, with the carnage they have seen in Iraq and the seemingly unwinnable war in Afghanistan.

However, how can the UK stand still and watch such a despicable man ravages a country that was once a beacon of hope in the otherwise scar on planet earth that is Africa. Too long the rest of the world has stood by and watched African countries tear each other to pieces, with the only real victims being the poor innocent people who just want a peaceful life.

There are no excuses

I suppose some could say that our economy is nose diving and that we should be spending money on keeping our own house in order rather than interfering in Africa’s problems. It does make you wonder how a government is happy to bail out the banks to the tune of multi billions when there is apparently no money left, yet during the good times we were unable to save the lives of literally millions of people. It would cost the world just £1bn a year for ten years to completely eradicate malaria entirely – that is not even a Northern Rock. Yet we did not do it. Saying we cannot afford to help Africa and how that we have no business in Zimbabwe is utter nonsense.

The fact is we do have a business in Zimbabwe because we can make a difference for the better. Now I do not propose we go down the Iraq route again with the “go it alone” tactic. This must be a global effort but led by the UK. After all, while I do not think Mugabe is the inevitable product of colonialism, we do have a responsibility to the people of Zimbabwe still.

African nations must be engaged

The other major hurdle is the African nations themselves. They appear simply unwilling to do anything about Mugabe. It is not that surprising they are so mistrustful of the West given the blind eye, politically, that we have shown them for many years now. Any solution in Zimbabwe rests on African nations’ involvement however and they must be engaged – not least South Africa where the UK must start applying pressure far more heavily.

There is a solution that benefits all

Britain needs to get the UN and in particular African nations round a table immediately. In return for offering the pittance of £1bn a year to those countries affected by Malaria, the developed countries will lead a coalition to put such vast pressure on Mugabe – military if necessary – that he is forced out of office. Only then can free and open elections truly be put in place and only then can the ravaged nation begin to recover.

The triumph of evil over good must not happen

The tragedy of Iraq is not only the suffering that so many have had to endure, but it is also left us with a mistrust in the ability of our governments to intervene. However, the mistakes of Iraq should not be seen as an excuse to bury our heads, but as a learning point on how to tackle vicious regimes correctly and effectively. There is a famous quotation, attributed to Edmund Burke that I have long felt central to democracy and the morals and obligations of mankind that goes “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”. Never has this felt more true and appropriate than after seeing the death that is on our TVs today.