Is the USA justified in throwing its weight around to impose sanctions against Mugabe?

If you are a true follower of my blog, you would probably think that I have this immense hatred towards the USA. Surprisingly, that is wrong. I consider the USA as my second home. A beautiful country with so much different character. Miami is definitely not the same as Greenfield, NH or even Huddleston, VA. The only 'problem' (this word portrays too much emotion) I have is with the failing foreign policy of the Bush administration and the war on terror, which includes the way in which Guantanamo Bay is run.

After reading an interesting editorial in today's (21 July 2008) New York Times called 'Failing Zimbabwe' I thought about the USA involvement in international peace and security, especially relating to the situation in Zimbabwe. The author of this article states that the USA's suggested sanctions against top officials is definitely the route to go and that although the Bush foreign policy is a failure, that he (Bush) is justified in asking for sanctions against Mugabe and his top Zanu PF officials. I have to admit, that I still do not see how increased pressure for sanctions against Mugabe would aid such a wonderful country like Zimbabwe and its people. Robert Mugabe is really not concerned about Western efforts to put pressure on him. Thus, sanctions might not serve as an effective tool towards getting Zimbabwe out of the crises it is currently in. Even though Mugabe is to blame for the current state Zimbabwe is in, I think that the USA Government and especially the UN should rather place more focus on Zimbabwe and not so much on Mugabe.

The editorial in the NYT also highlighted the 'cunning' ways in which President Bush tried to persuade Russia and China not to veto future resolutions against its proposals to place sanctions against Mugabe. I think that it will take a bit more than getting friendly with Dmitri Medvedev and agreeing to attend the opening of the Beijing Olympics for Russia and especially China not to veto against such proposals. China has more to lose by allowing sanctions against Mugabe, as one of the proposed sanctions include an arms embargo. China provides arms to the Zimbabwe Defence Force, therefore such sanctions would directly affect its dealings with Zimbabwe.

I sometimes wonder what if sanctions from another country in the Security Council, except the USA and the UK, were proposed against Mugabe. A country like Russia for example. Would the reaction have been different? Would Mugabe have responded more positively (not that one can ever respond positively to sanctions against you)? In other words, Mugabe would then not have been abled to justify himself by blaming the West for the situation the country is in. His current reasoning is that its the West's fault for the situation the country is in and therefore he will not consider any proposal coming from West. However, Russia is not governed by a 'neo liberal capitalist' regime. In fact the opposite, Russia is governed by way of Communist principles. So therefore, if the West (the USA and UK) is really to 'blame' (and I mean this in the lightest possible form, as we all know that its not true) for the crises in Zimbabwe, would they be justified in imposing further sanctions against Robert Mugabe?

As the eternal optimist that I am, I do hope for a better outcome after the talks which started this week in Pretoria between Zanu PF and the MDC party leaders. Transition takes place in stages, therefore I do hope that a lot of thought is placed into South Africa's option for the future of Zimbabwe, by allowing for a Prime Minister to be included in the Constitution of Zimbabwe and for Tsvangirai to fill that position. I certainly also hope that by now other regional political bodies (like SADC and the AU) have seen the seriousness of constantly monitoring elections, to make sure that its free and fair. Let us hope that its the case of 'third time lucky' and that the next elections in Africa does not end in violence.

What to do with good ol' Mugabe?

Sorry readers, but you can forget about an introduction for this one. The title says it all. OK OK, maybe a small introduction. The world is at up and arms with regards to the situation in Zimbabwe and Mugabe's 're-election' as president of this crisis ridden country. The G8 has called for stronger sanctions against Mugabe and his Zanu PF leaders. These sanctions would include financial and travelling restrictions.

South Africa, with good reason, disagrees with stronger sanctions against the Mugabe regime. I would be so bold as to presume that the reason why the South African government does not want any sanctions against Mugabe is because it will cause that its proposed unity government (between and Mugabe and Tsvangirai) fail. South Africa proposes that Mugabe remains the president of Zimbabwe, with Tsvangirai as the Prime Minister. This sort of unity government worked for Kenya after its election twists and violence. However, thus far Tsvangirai refuses to speak to Mbeki and Mugabe (M&M?)

Looking at both options (the G8 and UN option of increasing santions and the South African and AU option of a unity government) I am of the opinion that sanctions against Mugabe would not be such a good idea. Mugabe seems to paint the picture that he does not care about the rest of the world out there. His attitude is that Zimbabwe belongs to him and if the rest of the world has a problem with it, its their problem. Sanctions against Mugabe would also not be effective when considering the future of a once prospering country. What the international community (the G8, UN, AU and SADC) should place their focus on is coming a solution that would take Zimbabwe's future into account. A unity government, as proposed by South Africa, could possibly be such a solution.

However, at the same time, I have to portray my disgust and shame in Bright Matonga (Deputy Information Minister of Zimbabwe) for saying that the proposed sanctions by the G8 and UN is racist and a insult to African leaders. This might sound really bad, but some people should just remain quiet and look suspiciously stupid, than say something and confirm the rest of the world's suspicion.