What next for Zimbabwe? : Should Zimbabwe’s leader remain in power?
The BBC are posing these questions in their ‘Have your say’ section, and inviting responses from the public. Lots of comments from people all over the world, but here’s a taster of some of the responses from Africans - read it all here:
You should know that Mugabe won’t leave that post as long as he is alive. You talk of 2010, he will still stand as the ZANU candidate. He is merciles and brutal hence no one has the guts to challenge him. Only revolt from the people, International fraternity and the soulders can remove him. I am saying this because I am one of the suffering people bach home. Even if the elections come they will still rig. lets start now to remove him.
…, Harare
WHY HIM AGAIN (MUGABE) HE MAKE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HOMELES AND POOR, WE DONT NEED HIM AT ALL. WE DONT NEED PEOPLE OF HIS POLICY IN THIS CONTINET PLEASE (EU) HELP US TO REMOVE THIS DIRTY AND STUPID MUGABE
TIMOTY, HARARE
I am Zimbabwean, but i totally support Mugabe. I do not care what happens in Zimbabwe anymore, i am sick and tired of fighting lone battles against Zanu PF. I have scars and lost a friend because of trying to fight against Mugabe. Zimbabweans dont care, people where even saying to me i am stupid when i use to demostrate against Mugabe. Until we all unite and stop complaining and writing these comments and do something, “longleave Mugabe”.How can 13mill people loose to 1man, such cowards we are!
takunda, london
Dear bbc
No media or anyone will ever describe the situation at hand here besides the people on the ground i mean the people who are earning approximately 10P a month in an enviroment where real inflation as we feel it is hovering around 2000+. The truth is being edited by a group of people who are amasing wealth through people’s sweat and tears. The enermy has ceased to be Mugabe himself but a new class of the ” get rich quickly” who are enjoying every moment.It is very very worse here.
Innocent, Harare
For change to occur in Zimbabwe, there should be a greater sacrifice of self for the good of the country. I am calling for those courageous man and women to conduct ME SO WE CAN ORGANIZE. FORGET TSVANGIRAI, FORGET MUTAMBARA, they ARE FOR SELF PRESERVATION. ARE YOU WILLING TO SACRIFICE ANYTHING OR YOU ARE JUST A COMPLAINER LIKE EVERYBODY? SHOW IT. Time for opinions, discussions or anything to do with TALKING is over. IT IS NOW CLEAR ZANU WILL NOT LEAVE UNLESS FORCED. ARE YOU READY FOR ANYTHING?
Paul Kudina, Harare
Mugabe is punishing his own people for disliking him and for voting him out of power during the recent elections. The destruction of Zimbabwe by Mugabe and his cronies is delibarate and well calculated. Its not about land reform or ‘foreign influence’. This is the work of the devil. What I do not understand is why he has not been arrested for crimes against human nature. This man is worse than Adolf Hitler. God help us all!
kudakwashe chitangawo, Reading
The decision by Comrade Robert Mugabe to extend his presidency is a pure sign of paranoia. I feel Mugabe is paranoid of what will become of him if he calls it quit. My plea is to Zimabweans is: please desist from this man’s egocentric motives. Hw will take you no where but to lunacy. Africa needs fresh minds!
Alex R. Nkosi, Katoto, Mzuzu - Malawi
Oh God in Heraven when will you take Sir Robert Mugabe to rest and redeem Zimbabwe and its citizenary from his york?
When will you come to our aid and help the ailing economy and the massive human rights abuses? We are tired OH GOD LET HIM REST!
MASEME MACHUKA, KISII KENYA
I am not a Zimbabwean but as an African in Diaspora, I feel ashamed that a person like Mr. Mugabe is still at the helms of affairs in Zimbabwe. I keep wondering why ‘the men of Zimbabwe cannot wear pants like men’. Is there not a man brave enough to force Mr. Mugabe out of power after all these years of self-inflicted suffering on his people?. Mr. Mugabe should not be allowed to stay one day longer in power so that the people of Zimbabwe can enjoy the dividends of democracy like other countries.
onukulunjo gekwumma, washington, d.c, United States
I would just like to state that Zimbabweans HAVE tried to get rid of Mugabe. Four times we have gone to the polls despite intimidation, torture, rape and murder and have voted to rid ourselves of this man. Each time, despite massive and obvious fraud the elections have been declared free and fair by monitors from the African Union.
The african union recently declared that Zimbabwe has perpetrated NO human rights abuses in the last 6 years. How can we be rid of him without support????
Mark
Fellow Africans
Perfect despotic leaders of africa like Mr Robert Mugabe should not be given a minute to be kept in power but to resign.its very asurd fot the people of Zimbabwe that Mugabe wants extra (bonus)time to economically handcap our people.
Zimbabwe stand firm and resist this move.MUGABE, THE SUFFERING YOU HAVE CAUSED IN AFRICA IS ENOUGH.PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE NEED A DEMOCRATIC LEADER.
mugabe resign resign for the sake of peace in all.
Musana Eric, KIBAALE
“Birds of the same feathers flock together” Zanu-pf party is filled up with bounch of Mugabes. You and i know nothing good is ever going to come out of that confrence so why do i think they should do something when we already know they are going there to serve their own intrest. This is what i think and expect all zimbabweans to do. They should match up the bigest protest ever recorded in history starting from this date indinitely, demanding for president Robert Mugabe to step down.
garland orhue ogiegor, edo nigeria
Mugabe has nothing to do than to continue holding onto power. he is scared of his future taking arap-moi, chiluba, charles taylor into consideration.
he has caused so much havoc that stepping down from the presidency cannot help him because he cannot live in the mess he has created. he is saying ‘all animals are equal but some are more equal than others’.
look at tghe economy now, the rate of inflation, agriculture,press freedom etc.remember this-ZANU-PF IS MUGABE AND MUGABE IS ZANU-PF.richmond, accra,ghana
their reasons for such constutional change its a clear sign of a failed leader who is trying to chase the wind. the main issue affecting Zimbabwe its leadership, Mugabe has totally failed his people becos he lacks how to lead and knows how to rule with emotions. a am very sad for african leaders for not calling him to oder not even a single african leader has codemn him publicly. Mr kofi Annan and the AU must call him to order. he must stop that relic rule its no more relevant to democracy
OBED TACKIE, ACCRA
December 15th, 2006 18:56
takunda in London - I understand you, I feel what you feel - anger and despair. But I have come round now and realised that a lot of people have to make sacrifices before the rest of the people open their eyes. Some of us wept in 1980 when Mugabe came to power because we already knew the politics behind him - the big powers behind him and the murders he had committed of his opponents during the struggle. He went on to wipe a whole people off the land with the support of ex-combatants. When he turned round and started murdering the ex-combatants, I said exactly what you said. I realised after a while that I was wrong - people are different and some are slow to learn. I can assure you that every Zimbabwean has now learnt a lesson. This lesson is simply ‘Do unto others as you want them to do unto you.’ It is now a wake up call for any person, Zimbabwean or not to realise that this world is full of Mugabes. Your suffering was not in vain, so do not waste it by being angry. Channel it constructively by organising a good force to out this dictator. Someone has to start from somewhere. Good luck
December 15th, 2006 22:11
THABO MBEKI and the ANC- catch a wake up already!!!
Help your brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe!!
I am South African and I am fully behind the Zimbabweans who want their freedom back.
AMANDLA!!!
December 17th, 2006 21:54
As a Zimbabwean, am ashamed of myself and my people. What kind of nonsense is this where by we sit and do absolute nothing while this evil Tyrant brings how nation to medivial barbarism. Please Zimbabweans lets stand against this dictator and fight for what we believe in and want. Am utterly in distaste with our fellow neighbouring countries that that have witnessed our nation slowly being robbed of its liberties and basic human necessities.Zimbabweans lets wake up and do something, we are a very bright nation.Lets have some bone ourselves. I say let all support Thabitha Khumalo she is an inspiration and a Woman. It does matter whether your Shona, Indian, white or Ndebele lets stand up against this beast and its cronies.
Together Thabitha Khumalo!
December 20th, 2006 13:53
taneta nhai Muchembere Mugabe, hatichakudii. Mafunga kufa nenyika yose here. Please all the sovereignity belongs to God, you are noy God of Zimbabwe. we want to come back home and fully enjoy our rights not being harrased by your stste agents.
January 27th, 2007 14:20
Mugabe should not remain in power, in fact he should suffer the same end as Saddam Hussein, but then my fellow Zimbabweans you must ask yourselves who will replace this self centred,arrogant and irresponsible despot. Do we have a Government in waiting that can be colour blind and treat all Zimbabweans without reference to to pigment of their skin. Do we have anyone who will stand up and say “you want equal rights? sure no problem it comes with equal responsibilities”. Are we prepared to abandon prejudice and work towards a society based on non racial meritocracy and individual effort and just and impartial laws or are we just going to form another begging bowl queue at the doors of the so called “First World” countries. Can my Zimbabwe regain it’s dignity instead of being just a fifth rate third world nation rapidly going down the economic plughole.
I want to be able to say again that I am proud of my country and it’s leaders.
Yours
Stateless person