In 1991, A prominent African leader stood up against injustice in a neighbouring land.在1991年，一个突出的非洲领导人站起来，反对非正义的在邻国的土地。 “The cry for freedom, as well as the cry for justice, stops at no border,” he declared. “的呼声，为自由，以及为正义的呼声，停止在没有边界， ”他宣称。

That leader was Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe.该领导人是津巴布韦的穆加贝总统。 He was speaking in Harare, opening the Commonwealth meeting that would decide to begin lifting the people-to-people sanctions that had been imposed against South Africa.他是在哈拉雷开幕的英联邦会议将决定开始解除人民对人民的制裁，已对南非。

“As you stand on Zimbabwean soil,” President Mugabe said, “only a stone’s throw away from South Africa, the world expects us to spare no effort in helping to achieve an outcome there which will bring comfort to the oppressed people of South Africa.” “如你的立场，津巴布韦土壤， ”总统穆加贝说， “只有一箭之遥扔掉来自南非，世界期望我们不遗余力地在帮助实现的结果，有哪些会带来舒适的受压迫人民南非洲“ 。

It is now well past time that South Africa returned the favour.这是现在以及过去的时间，南非归还赞成。 Quiet diplomacy is dead.静悄悄的外交是死亡。 One of Africa’s brightest hopes has turned into the continent’s most dismal failures.一对非洲最闪亮的希望已变成大陆的最令人沮丧的失败。 In an era in which our continent is meant to be embarking on an African Renaissance, Zimbabwe is both an obstacle and an embarrassment.在一个时代，在我们大陆是要着手对非洲的复兴，津巴布韦，既是一个障碍和尴尬。

President Thabo Mbeki’s policy of “quiet diplomacy” in Zimbabwe has finally been denounced as a disaster by world leaders.总统姆贝基的政策是“静悄悄的外交”在津巴布韦终于被谴责，作为一个灾难世界各国领导人。 The criticism has extended beyond muted signs of displeasure to condemnation.批评已超出了静音的迹象不满，谴责。

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.非国大高级领导人已促请议员，姆贝基总统改变他的立场，而民运领导人摩根茨万吉拉伊表达了渴望，南非，以取代作为调停人的危机。

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.这是值得研究有什么影响这项政策，已导致议员，姆贝基要求是没有选举危机在津巴布韦，已在该国。

Zimbabwe, once one of the healthiest economies in Africa, has been plunged into a crisis that worsens every day.津巴布韦，一旦其中一个最健康的经济体在非洲，已经陷入了危机的恶化每一天。 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.通货膨胀率维持在超过十万％ ，预计将达到150万％ ，马克由今年年底完成。

Its healthcare system has failed, with many children orphaned by an Aids crisis, which Mr Mbeki refuses to take seriously.其医疗制度已经失败，许多儿童成为孤儿，由一个艾滋病危机，议员，姆贝基总统拒绝认真考虑。 Political violence, intimidation and corruption remain endemic.政治暴力，恐吓和腐败仍然是风土病。 None of this has been ameliorated by South Africa’s diplomatic efforts.没有这一点已得到改善，由南非的外交努力。

This policy has resulted in strengthening Dr. Mugabe’s regime and other countries’ desire to effectively address the plight of the Zimbabwean people.这项政策已导致在加强博士穆加比的政权和其他国家的愿望，要有效地解决困境的津巴布韦人民。

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.由沉迷穆加比的坚持的批评，对他是一个组成部分，新殖民主义的阴谋，姆贝基总统已决定给予该名男子合法性表示，他不会，否则有。

It is never quite clear to anyone precisely what quiet diplomacy is meant to accomplish.它从来不是很清楚，任何人正是静悄悄的外交就是要完成。 Is it supposed to bring about a fresh round of elections — free and fair this time round?它是假定带来了新一轮的选举-自由和公平的，这一轮的时间呢？ Is it meant to bring about a transfer of power to the MDC or within a “reformed” Zanu-PF?它的意思是要带来一个权力移交给该委员会或内部的“改革”民盟？ Is it meant to bring about some kind of government of national unity?它的意思是要实现某种形式的民族团结政府？

South Africa’s treatment OF Zimbabwe’s opposition has been shameful.南非的治疗津巴布韦的反对派一直可耻的。 President Mbeki’s public embraces of Mugabe and his Zanu-PF cronies contrasts sharply with his studied avoidance of Mr Tsvangirai.姆贝基总统的公开拥抱的穆加比和他的民盟的亲信形成鲜明对比，与他的研究，避免议员崔凡吉莱。

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.非国大的始终不渝忠于其研究员解放政府，破坏了任何索赔可能有希望，使以更霸道的做法。 This, of course, reflects the ANC’s attitude towards political opposition more generally.当然，这反映了非国大的态度，政治上的反对派更普遍。

The tragedy has been that it is in the interest of all to stand firm in condemnation of the actions of the Zimbabwean government.悲剧已，这是在所有人的利益要立场坚定，在谴责的行动，津巴布韦政府。 It lacks the economic and military clout to seriously threaten its international critics.它缺乏经济和军事影响力，以严重威胁到它的国际批评。

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.有，一切为了争取在务实的条款，支持改革的国家，已证明这种经济潜力，和道德的任务批评穆加比的腐败专制。

A far better response would have been the more robust one.远更好的反应，将已更强大的一个。 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.站起来向津巴布韦政府将有限的能力，运用外交和政治，很难让他们默许在目前的危机。

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.曾南非一直坚挺，从一开始在处理与政权和具有挑战性的其行动，它可能已经能够限制阴谋诡计的民盟和将领，现在排队尝试并取得成功穆加贝。

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.强硬立场拒绝沉迷穆加比的幻想可能无法叫醒他，以现实，但他的孤立将负担不起他的政治性较低的保护比他目前有。

This is not to advocate a US-style hawkish diplomacy against Zimbabwe.这并不是主张美国式的强硬外交对津巴布韦。 That would be entirely inappropriate for the situation and the country, and would have a very dubious prospect of success.这将是完全不适当的情况和国家，并会有一个非常可疑的前景，取得圆满成功。

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.相反，站起来，津巴布韦将涉及更强的话支持的果断行动，拒绝沉迷穆加比的幻想，和加入世界其余地区在制裁他们放置于制度。

The world currently awaits the results of this most contentious of Zimbabwean elections.世界上目前正在等待结果，这最有争议的津巴布韦选举。 A change of stance from President Mbeki might go miles in delivering a resolution. 1改变立场，从姆贝基总统可能去英里，在提供了一项决议。 Let’s hope it’s not too late.让我们希望它不是为时已晚。

The South African government should tell Mugabe that the human rights abuses, police brutality, arbitrary arrests and beatings of opposition politicians have to stop.南非政府应该告诉穆加贝说，侵犯人权，警察残暴，任意逮捕和殴打的反对派政治家必须停止。 These actions should remind South Africans of the worst days of apartheid.这些行动应该提醒南非的最严重的天的种族隔离。

About The Author: Donald Mogeni — 关于作者： 唐纳德mogeni -

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