One good thing to have come of recent misery in Zimbabwe is its universal condemnation, writes MARK MALLOCH BROWN
FOR A LONG time Robert Mugabe has kept alive the falsehood that Africa and much of the rest of the world remain on his side in what he claims is a colonial dispute with Britain and, to a lesser extent, Europe. The events of the past few weeks have transformed that view. It is clear the world is united in its condemnation of the violence perpetrated by Zimbabwe's leaders. It is Mugabe and his regime versus the world.
African leaders have come out and shown their opposition to what Mugabe is doing: Tanzania, Senegal, Rwanda, Botswana, Angola, South Africa and Zambia most recently. Last week, an open letter signed by more than 40 African leaders, including many ex-presidents, ex-secretary generals and civil society leaders called for an end to the violence. African leaders know Mugabe's rule is now illegitimate by his own constitution, by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) principles of elections and by the African Union. And Africans are ashamed. Kofi Annan wrote that "Zimbabwe is tarnishing the reputation of Africa". Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga called Zimbabwe "an eyesore".
The UN Security Council was also this week unanimous in its verdict that "conditions do not exist for free and fair elections right now in Zimbabwe. There has been too much violence, too much intimidation." Among the 15 Security Council members who unanimously signed up to the statement were China, Russia and South Africa: three countries previously reluctant to join in this kind of international condemnation of Zimbabwe.
What has brought this decisive change in world opinion? Some 84 opposition supporters are confirmed murdered; 2,700 injured; 34,000 displaced. Tragically, these grim figures continue to grow, even despite the withdrawal of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) from the vote. It is no longer an election campaign: it is a campaign of violence and intimidation against innocent men, women and children whose only crime is to wish to express their democratic right to vote.
And it is a campaign that takes place against a catastrophic economic background. Inflation is estimated at two million per cent. Zimbabwe has just reaped its worst harvest in 60 years. Electricity and water shortages can last for days at a time. Meanwhile, the Zanu-PF government has suspended life-saving NGO humanitarian activities. Even hunger has become a political weapon.
Europe has a critical role to play in bringing change to Zimbabwe. The EU's existing targeted measures of travel bans and asset-freezing against Mugabe and 130 senior Zanu-PF leaders must include a wider range of individuals involved in violence. The EU must consider how best it can ratchet up the pressure without adversely affecting ordinary Zimbabweans. WPP communications has divested its stake in a local advertising company responsible for Zanu-PF advertising. But is it right a European firm continues to print the banknotes that allow Mugabe's regime to keep state oppression going while feeding hyperinflation?
Most importantly, Europe must work to support the African and global leadership demonstrated by SADC, the African Union and the UN. Europe must do more to build a global effort to isolate and delegitimise Mugabe's regime: to document human rights abuses and seek remedies, and to force the emergence of a government that represents the people.
In recent weeks, Mugabe and his inner circle have succeeded in uniting the world against them. They have put themselves beyond the pale and scorned international norms and values. And they should know they must face the consequences.
Lord Malloch-Brown is a minister of state in the foreign and commonwealth office of the British government with responsibility for Africa, Asia and the United Nations