After three members of The Elders were refused entry into Zimbabwe to observe the human rights situation and the overall deterioration of the country over the last months, Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya, remarked, ""The fact that Mugabe was a freedom fighter does not give him rights to own Zimbabwe and hang on to power."
This statement echoes loudly in the echelons of power in the African continent. Prior deeds, colonial conquests of previous decades, home grown revolutionary actions of the past, are often used as fodder for negligent and outright disgraceful leadership.
The test piece is Mr. Mugabe, who has clung to power, citing his role as an anti-imperialist revolutionary, while his country has completely deteriorated to the point of failed state. Once the breadbasket of the continent, Zimbabwe is now the basketacse. What a terrible shame.
While the politicans continue to bicker, the country crumbled; while Mugabe continues to plunder, the people starve and fall victim to curable disease. Jimmy Carter, one of The Elders refused entry into the country, remarked, "The crisis in Zimbabwe is much worse than anything we have imagined". What a terrible shame for humanity.
