I will not sit at the table with human rights abuser Mugabe - Brown
20 09 2007
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has said he will not take part in a major EU-Africa summit if Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe is allowed to attend. Describing the situation in the former British colony as “appalling and tragic”, Mr Brown called on the international community to bring more pressure to bear on the Harare regime.
President Mugabe is currently facing a EU travel ban, which would have to be lifted if he was to attend the Lisbon talks. Writing in the Independent today, Brown said,
“I believe that President Mugabe’s presence would undermine the summit, diverting attention from the important issues that need to be resolved. In those circumstances, my attendance would not be appropriate.”
Brown highlights the fact that four million people have fled the country, 80 per cent of the population is unemployed, four million will be on food aid by the end of the year and average life expectancy in Zimbabwe has fallen to just 37.
Commentators have pondered the perception of Brown’s move in Zimbabwe and South Africa in particular - an example of the old colonial power flexing its muscle or of a world leader taking a stance against an African despot who has brought his country to its knees?
Brown is absolutely right and I commend this move. The African Union is no more than an old mans club for a bunch of crooks and gangsters, many of whom have plundered their countries treasury reserves to enrich themselves. They fail to act against Mugabe’s human rights abuses because they all, to some extent, are guilty of such abuses themselves. The idea that the old colonial power is looking to flex its muscle is totally laughable - what on earth can Zimbabwe offer Britain? Its time Africans all over the continent rose up against Mugabe and the rest of the old mans club. They are a complete disgrace!
I agree with you Femi but what gets me is the inconsistency. Brown is more than happy to have summits and sit round the table with, for example, the Chinese Premier or President who have presided over human rights abuses too, or Putin (he has far from a clean record on these things) but makes a point in relation to Mugabe only.
Gordon Brown right we dont need to sit and talk with a person who dont know the meanings of human rights. Furthermore a person who dont know how to lookafter own people in his own country how he will be a good role model in any International event?