Mugabe Goes Unchallenged And Untested At African Union Summit

Yes, Robert Mugabe is still the “President” of Zimbabwe. It was only a few days ago that Zimbabwe had its one-candidate runoff election. Opposition candidate and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai had dropped out of the runoff election from pressure of other MDC members.

While Tsvangirai had won the elections back at the end of March, he did not have enough to avoid a runoff election. But, Mugabe’s government had been criticized for withholding election results for weeks. Mugabe was on the receiving end of much international criticism. However, Mugabe brushed off all criticism. Many have called the runoff election nothing but a sham.

Regardless of the election being a sham, Mugabe is still the president of Zimbabwe. He did not receive any criticism at the African Union (AU) summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

While the leaders of Africa abandoned Mugabe, neither of them lashed out at him at the AU. It was like they had lost their “jewels” in the matter. The leaders of France, the United States, Canada, and Great Britain had called forth and urged the AU to reject the rule of Mugabe. Still, the leaders of the AU were silent on the matter.

It seems out of fear that the criticism would put the country in more chaos. At the same time, some leaders are ones to talk for the obvious reasons.

Raila Odinga, Kenya’s Prime Minister also added to the criticism. Odinga said: “The African Union should not accept or entertain Mr Mugabe. He should be suspended until he allows the African Union to facilitate free and fair elections between him and his opponents.”

Not long ago, Odinga had demanded Mugabe step down from power. He called Zimbabwe an eyesore and embarrassment to Africa.

Up until the runoff election, Mugabe’s Zanu-PF mobs and militiamen had systematically hunted down supporters, activists, and members of the MDC. Mugabe had even threatened to plunge Zimbabwe into civil war if Tsvangirai won the runoff election. He constantly accused Tsvangirai of being an imperialist puppet of the British.

In a nutshell, Mugabe is still the leader of Zimbabwe. Yet, the leaders within the AU have not openly criticized him.

Still, the British Ministry of Defense is contemplating about possible military intervention. But, that is easier said than done.