There is a rather silly unwillingness on the part of some to raise their voices in protest at the evil racist Robert Mugabe. Some feel that Britain needs to be careful due to some sort of post-Colonial guilt complex. I think that is a warped view. Almost as silly as Blair apologising for the famine. Each generation should be judged by their actions not those of their ancestors. Despite the craven attitude of his fellow African leaders demonstrated over the weekend it is clear that Mugabe is finished. To rid the world of his vile regime may take days, weeks or even months. It may happen peacefully or, more likely, he will leave with even more African blood having been spilt. But that he is going is beyond doubt.
So what next? And what role can Britain play? I thought one of the most constructive and positive comments I've heard on the subject came from William Hague on 'Any Questions' this weekend.
William said:
"The day after Mugabe is on the horizon. And there is going to be a golden hour to do a lot for that country. And we should now be preparing the way for the UN and the World Bank to be going in to assess the needs, to host a donors’ conference in Europe so that international aid can be delivered in the best possible way. To be ready to assist millions of people, refugees from Zimbabwe who might want to return. To train security forces in observance of human rights and so on. All of these things need planning for now because there is going to be a golden hour. And in the golden hour of other countries where dictatorships have been overthrown we haven’t been very good at planning for it. So we should get on and plan for it now."
Every word is right. And Britain should take the lead to make it happen.
