'We won't demonise Mugabe'

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Harare - Regime change does not work in Africa and Britain is responsible for some of the continent's troubles, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said on Wednesday.

Speaking during his state visit to Zimbabwe, Museveni, whose controversial "no party democracy" has scored some success, said he supported the seizure of white-owned farms in that country.

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"When I hear these people trying to demonise President Mugabe, I say you can't demonise a leader of the liberation struggle and expect support from us. You are just stupid."

Mugabe's violent land grab has seen about a dozen white farmers killed since February 2000, but aid agencies warn that the real catastrophe has been the eviction of as many as 300 000 farm workers who now face unemployment.

News24

[geek tragedy]

1. These articles never mention the fact

that Mugabe is a dictator who crushes the press and tortures his black political opponents.

I guess we can count on African states to circle the wagons and ignore the issue of human rights.

[bemildred]

2. Mugabe is something of a loon.

In fairness, it must be said he does not look so bad when
compared to some of his peers and former peers in African
leadership positions. OTOH he looks like shit compared to
someone of the stature of Mandela. Hopefully, he will "pass
on" soon and Zimbabwe will get a chance with someone new and
perhaps even competent.

I thought the kiss and make nice aspect was interesting
because that has not always been the case.

[geek tragedy]

3. Very true.

Though the continuum between Idi Amin and Mobutu on one end and Mandela is maybe the longest in all of politics.

There are a lot of guys (Arafat, Castro, Mugabe) who once did a lot of good or had a lot of promise have no outlived their usefulness--which is a problem for a "leader for life."