African Union Leaders meeting at a summit in Egypt should openly tell Zimbabwe’s Mugabe that his one-candidate election run-off is illegitimate and he should negotiate with the opposition MDC for his exit from power. Robert Mugabe is widely accused of human rights violations in Zimbabwe, and his one-candidate election run-off in the country has now been condemned by all three Africa groups monitoring the vote.
A team from the African Union monitoring the vote said, the Zimbabwe presidential run-off election fell short of standards set by the African Union.
This comes after the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and the Pan-Africa parliament observer teams also condemned the Zimbabwe elections as not being free and fair and marred by violence.
Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe arrived at an African Union summit in Sharm EL-Sheikh, Egypt on Monday. Robert Mugabe, 84, flew to Egypt overnight after being sworn in for a sixth term of office.
All eyes are now on the African Union summit to see how they receive Robert Mugabe. Will African leaders reject him as illegitimate? Or they going to let down Zimbabwe again?
Robert Mugabe has failed to adhere to the guidelines on holding democratic elections as set by Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), African Union (AU) and Pan-Africa parliament. All observer groups allowed to monitor elections in Zimbabwe by the Mugabe government.
If Robert Mugabe was expecting the African observers to turn a blind eye on his shameful, violent and unfair election and give him that seal of approval he so desires, then he got it wrong this time. He is probably facing unprecedented criticism from some of his once ‘loyal’ African leaders.
There are chances African leaders will fail the Zimbabwean people again, but we hope they will be brave enough to directly confront Robert Mugabe.
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June 30th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
African leaders should stand up for good governance and true democracy.
It is time we in Africa reject the idea of having incumbent presidents refusing to accept ballot defeat and hand over power, but creating violence and using it to force negotiations as a means of stying in power. This culture of advocating for nogotiations as was done in Kenya and now suggested for Zimbabwe stinks and is a mockery of democracy. African leaders should stop advocating for power sharing but should force Mugabe to hold free and fair elections and respect the outcome.
Surely Mbeki wouldn’t want to have what is happening to innocent Zimbabweans happening to his children or his family. Its time he steps up and follow the foot steps of the great Madiba.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Zimbabwe is Africa! This is why the west should stop all aid to Africa. Robert Mugabe is a shining example of what Africa is corrupt and never changing. All aid does is keep people like Mugabe in power and the AU is worse than the UN when it comes to fixing problems. When the people of Africa decide to make changes then the west can offer support until then it’s a waste of good money going to bad people.
The only way we can help is to stay clear of the entire place!
June 30th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Shame on African leaders!!!! Are we really going to pass the shame we carry to our children? Isn’t it time that Africans solve their own problems? Africa should be brave enough to show Robert Mugabe that he doesn’t belong there. Those still avoiding a straight statement are those who know that their position are illegitimate aswell. They are affraid to point the finger because it might be pointed at them too. But it is time that we free ourselves from our demons and we start to regain the pride lost long time ago. Earn some respect from the world and kick Mugabe and his alike out of power…