The West Must Help Bring Democracy Back to Zimbabwe

Abstract

Zimbabwe consequently presents stark choices for the international lending agencies, like the International Monetary Fund, and for policymakers in Washington, London, and the capitals of democratic Africa. The task for Washington and London is to make sure Zimbabwe's next elections are free and fair. International monitoring should only proceed on that basis.

American, British, Russian, and African leaders will be able to speak their mind about Zimbabwe when Robert Mugabe, its president and the bad man of Africa, comes to the United Nations to defend himself and his policies on Jan. 24.

Mugabe has been in power for 20 years, and now rules Zimbabwe with an iron and cruel hand. Although he has been twice elected president and his Zimbabwe African Union-Patriotic Front party has 147 of 150 seats in the country's parliament, Mugabe no longer abides by common democratic forms and procedures. His Cabinet members are ignored. So is public opinion. He makes the rules. He personally decides what happens when and who is allowed to do this or that.

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