Mugabe 2008: A case of democracy sustaining tyranny

By Michael J.W. Stickings

According to the BBC, "Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party has endorsed President Robert Mugabe as its candidate for the 2008 election".

Big surprise. Mugabe is 83. He's been in power since 1980. In fact, he's the only president independent Zimbabwe has ever had. His idea of democratic governance includes beating opponents and dissenters to a pulp, arresting them, and then blaming them for being beaten to a pulp.

And now he plans to run for re-election?

I'm sure it'll be entirely fair and legit.

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Once again, credit to the U.S. State Dept. for at least saying the right things: "It's sad, it's outrageous and certainly we hope better for the Zimbabwean people."

But doing would be better than saying. Sanctions would be a start -- but only a start.

And it certainly doesn't help that Zimbabwe's neighbours have expressed support for Mugabe and oppose sanctions. Utterly shameful, but they must see a good deal of themselves in Zimbabwe's tyrant.

For more on Mugabe's "hold over African leaders," see here.

For more on Mugabe's political fortunes, see here. It could very well be that only a "palace coup" would liberate the people of Zimbabwe from Mugabe's ongoing tyranny.