Mugabe The Dog: Despots in Revolutionaries Clothing

Africa has a problem. The problem is the result of colonialism but cannot be placed completely at the feet of Western Europe. Robert Mugabe, the dictator of Zimbabwe, fought the colonialist and freed the country from the deprivations of the west. He then took their place by oppressing his people in their stead. Zimbabwe, once the second strongest economy in Africa, is now a place of starvation, inflation, and military oppression.

African countries are failing to condemn Mugabe. They are doing so for numerous reasons. Some of this is because nations that surround Zimbabwe are themselves run by strong men who refuse to give up power. The main reason however is that leaders are hesitant to condemn someone who was once seen as a hero. All nations in Africa have had movements that worked to shake off colonial oppression and Mugabe was at the forefront of his, but all revolutionaries do not have the best interest of their nations at heart. Some fight because they want freedom for all and some fight for power. When a wolf hides in the clothing of a shepherd he must be driven away. Mugabe is a wolf who is destroying his country.

The world has failed Zimbabwe by refusing to take real action against him. Africans have failed Zimbabwe and this is perhaps the worst part of the situation. Africans are the only people who can change Africa. The west cannot fix the spiritual malady that has caused men like Mugabe to hold onto power until they become octogenarians. Until recently, Mugabe was still treated as a man of respect by African leaders who knew better. If Africa is to become a continent of significance, it will require African people to require higher standards of their leaders and of themselves.