Brown puts faith in southern Africa
Accordnig to the Times Brown is leaving it up to the neighbours of Zimbabwe to deal with it. Given that the previous efforts entailed a “Deal” suggested by Mbeki for Simba to act as an utterly undemocratic “Compromise” between the Zanu PF’s longing to stay in power and everyone elses urge to get rid of Mugabe this might be somewhat unwise. Their efforts previously have also been somewhat lacking.
However Brown has been placed in something of a tricky position by Mugabe’s skillful political positioning: if he makes a more active effort to bring freedom to the suspended Commonwealth member he will most likely do more harm than good. Mugabe used the prospect of re-colonisation to secure his position throughout his reign and there is precious little prospect of Britain being able to exert more soft power over the process than will be returned in counter at the prospect of supposedely imperialist influence.
It might be for the best that he’s taken the stance he has but judging from past form I fear the rest of Africa will refuse to resolve this issue, even now.
Leave a Reply