Bush Increases Pressure on Zimbabwe

The criminal regime of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe got a kick in the pants on Wednesday from the Bush administration. The American president signed an executive order that increased economic sanctions against Zimbabwe, specifically freezing the assets of 128 individuals and 33 entities that the White House says are slowing the cause of reform. While the value of economic sanctions is dubious at best, it is reassuring to know that Mr. Bush has forgotten how to use power that doesn’t wear a uniform.

Writing to congressional leaders, Mr. Bush stated, “Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections in March 2005 were not free or fair. Recent demolitions of low-income housing and informal markets have caused 700,000 people to lose their homes, jobs or both. Additional measures are required to promote democratic change.” Indeed.

First and foremost, Mr. Bush should enter into some serious discussions with the South African government, which has been following a program of constructive engagement with the Mugabe government. Mr. Bush needs to spell out that Mugabe must go as a sine qua non for progress in Zimbabwe and the rest of southern Africa.

Next, the US needs to begin the delicate work of recognizing a regime-in-exile. The March elections were definitely fraudulent, and therefore, there is no reason not to declare the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, as the legitimate government of the nation and to hand over its seat at the UN and other intergovernmental bodies to it.

Finally, Mr. Bush needs to take into account that Mr. Mugabe, who has run his nation into the ground since taking over in 1980, has a finite amount of life left in him. When the vicious old bugger dies, the US needs to put things right during the transition.

This policy prescription does read like “White Man’s Burden Imperialism,” but no apologies are made for it. Zimbabwe failed to take the course of South Africa in dealing with white, minority rule (not every nation can create a Nelson Mandela), and Mr. Mugabe is the typical result of democracy Third World-style – one man, one vote, one time.

American troops is not feasible, no even desirable, but getting Zimbabwe back on its feet is a moral imperative. Mr. Bush got this one right, and the Kensington Review backs him to the hilt on this.

© Copyright 2005 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.
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