1991년에, A 저명한 아프리카 지도자는 이웃 땅에 있는 부정에 저항했다. "공정을 위한 외침 뿐만 아니라 자유를 위한 외침, 국경에, 멈춘다,"는 그는 선언했다.
저 지도자는 짐바브웨의 대통령이었다 로버트 Mugabe. 그는 남아프리카에 대하여 부과되었었던 사람들 에 사람들 고립정책을 드는 시작되는 것을 결정할 연방 회의를 여는 Harare에서 말하고 있었다.
"당신이 Zimbabwean 토양에 서 있기 때문에," Mugabe 대통령은 말했다, "멀리 돌의 던짐은 남아프리카에서만, 세계 저희를 남아프리카의 압박한 사람들에게 안락을." 가져올 결과를 거기 달성하는 것을 돕기에서 모든 수단을 사용하는 기대한다
남아프리카가 호의를 돌려보냈다 지금 시간 지나서 잘 이다. 비공식 외교는 죽다. 아프리카에서 가장 밝은 희망의 한개는 대륙의 가장 음침한 실패로 돌았다. 
우리의 대륙이 아프리카 르네상스로 새출발하기 위하여 의미되는 시대에서는, 짐바브웨는 장애 그리고 당황 둘 다이다.
짐바브웨에서 "비공식 외교"의 Thabo Mbeki 대통령 정책은 세계 지도자에 의해 재해로 마지막으로 비난되었다. 비판은 비난까지 불쾌의 침묵하는 표시 저쪽에 늘였다.
Senior ANC leaders have urged Mr Mbeki to alter his stance, while MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has expressed a desire for South Africa to be replaced as mediator in the crisis.
It is worth examining what effects this policy, which has led Mr Mbeki to claim there is no electoral crisis in Zimbabwe, has had on the country.
Zimbabwe, once one of the healthiest economies in Africa, has been plunged into a crisis that worsens every day. Inflation stands at over 100,000 per cent, and is predicted to hit the 1.5 million per cent mark by the end of the year.
Its healthcare system has failed, with many children orphaned by an Aids crisis, which Mr Mbeki refuses to take seriously. Political violence, intimidation and corruption remain endemic. None of this has been ameliorated by South Africa’s diplomatic efforts.
This policy has resulted in strengthening Dr. Mugabe’s regime and other countries’ desire to effectively address the plight of the Zimbabwean people.
By indulging Mugabe’s insistence that the criticisms levelled against him are part of a neo-colonial plot, President Mbeki has granted the man a legitimacy that he would not otherwise have.
It is never quite clear to anyone precisely what quiet diplomacy is meant to accomplish. Is it supposed to bring about a fresh round of elections — free and fair this time round? Is it meant to bring about a transfer of power to the MDC or within a “reformed” Zanu-PF? Is it meant to bring about some kind of government of national unity?
South Africa’s treatment OF Zimbabwe’s opposition has been shameful. President Mbeki’s public embraces of Mugabe and his Zanu-PF cronies contrasts sharply with his studied avoidance of Mr Tsvangirai.
The ANC’s unswerving loyalty to its fellow liberation government has undermined any claim it might have wished to make as to the even-handedness of its approach. This, of course, reflects the ANC’s attitude towards political opposition more generally.
The tragedy has been that it is in the interest of all to stand firm in condemnation of the actions of the Zimbabwean government. It lacks the economic and military clout to seriously threaten its international critics.
There is everything to gain in pragmatic terms by supporting reform in a country that has demonstrated such economic potential, and a moral mandate to criticise Mugabe’s corrupt despotism.
A far better response would have been the more robust one. Standing up to the Zimbabwe government would have limited their ability to manoeuvre diplomatically and politically, making it harder for them to acquiesce in the current crisis.
Had South Africa been firmer from the outset in dealing with the regime and challenging its actions, it might have been able to limit the machinations of Zanu-PF and the generals now lining up to try and succeed Mugabe.
A tough stance that refused to indulge Mugabe’s delusions might not wake him up to reality, but his isolation would afford him less political protection than he currently has.
This is not to advocate a US-style hawkish diplomacy against Zimbabwe. That would be entirely inappropriate for the situation and the country, and would have a very dubious prospect of success.
Rather, to stand up to Zimbabwe would involve stronger words supported by resolute action, a refusal to indulge Mugabe’s fantasies, and joining the rest of the world in the sanctions they have placed on the regime.
The world currently awaits the results of this most contentious of Zimbabwean elections. A change of stance from President Mbeki might go miles in delivering a resolution. Let’s hope it’s not too late.
The South African government should tell Mugabe that the human rights abuses, police brutality, arbitrary arrests and beatings of opposition politicians have to stop. These actions should remind South Africans of the worst days of apartheid.
About The Author: Donald Mogeni —
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