The ghost of Mugabe...
The meeting between EU and Africa in Lisboa this december has become a target for criticism and aggravated debate long before it has even started. Why? Because some African leaders could not accept that Robert Mugabe, the brutal dictator of Zimbabwe is persona non grata in EU. And thus, more or less demanded that Mugabe should be invited, or they would boycot the meeting. Which caused Gordon Brown to immidiatly announce that if Mugabe came, he would boycot the meeting. And today, DN, the leading newspaper in Sweden demanded that the Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt should follow Browns example, and came up with a rather long discussion about democracy and human rights as a base for their demands.
As much as I despise Mugabe and everything he stands for, I think that attitude is the wrong way to go. It would be a missed opportunity. Normally Mugabe surrounds himself with Yes-sayers. Now we have an opportunity to show a united EU tell him exactly what we think of him. And, more important, when discussing the future relations between EU and Africa, make very sure he gets the message that Zimbabwe will not be a recipent of any of the benefits discussed as long as the situation remains unchanged. And take it further, send the message that those African nations who maintain friendly relations with Mugabe will not fully benefit from whatever is decided during the meeting.
It is not acceptable that a dictator should be able to dictate the relationships between democratic nations. Let Mugabe come, but let it be known that he is not invited as an honoured guest, but as a criminal who will get the consequences of his actions read to him face to face. Let him sit at the table, noone has to acknowledge his presence other than to criticize him.
If Mugabe expects to return home as a hero for having represented his nation against the rich EU,
The meeting between EU and Africa in Lisboa this december has become a target for criticism and aggravated debate long before it has even started. Why? Because some African leaders could not accept that Robert Mugabe, the brutal dictator of Zimbabwe is persona non grata in EU. And thus, more or less demanded that Mugabe should be invited, or they would boycot the meeting. Which caused Gordon Brown to immidiatly announce that if Mugabe came, he would boycot the meeting. And today, DN, the leading newspaper in Sweden demanded that the Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt should follow Browns example, and came up with a rather long discussion about democracy and human rights as a base for their demands.
As much as I despise Mugabe and everything he stands for, I think that attitude is the wrong way to go. It would be a missed opportunity. Normally Mugabe surrounds himself with Yes-sayers. Now we have an opportunity to show a united EU tell him exactly what we think of him. And, more important, when discussing the future relations between EU and Africa, make very sure he gets the message that Zimbabwe will not be a recipent of any of the benefits discussed as long as the situation remains unchanged. And take it further, send the message that those African nations who maintain friendly relations with Mugabe will not fully benefit from whatever is decided during the meeting.
It is not acceptable that a dictator should be able to dictate the relationships between democratic nations. Let Mugabe come, but let it be known that he is not invited as an honoured guest, but as a criminal who will get the consequences of his actions read to him face to face. Let him sit at the table, noone has to acknowledge his presence other than to criticize him.
If Mugabe expects to return home as a hero for having represented his nation against the rich EU,
posted by Daniel at 1:03 pm
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