Thabo Mbeki
Zimbabwe's decline did not happen on its own
IPN Opinion article
Although Mugabe is a murderous despot, he understands how to retain power: until Africa's democratically-elected leaders can ignore his rhetoric, Zimbabweans are doomed. But with Barack Obama's inauguration causing a news frenzy all over Africa, he has the opportunity to shame those leaders into action.
Zimbabwe: Justice vs. Reconciliation
IPN Opinion article
Zimbabwe peace talks in Pretoria are due to reach a conclusion this week but will probably drag on a bit longer, even if they turn out to be just another cunning manipulation by Mugabe. One major problem is that international law now makes it impossible for dictators to retire peacefully, either at home or on the CÙte d'Azur.
Zimbabwe, Zuma - What’s going on down South?
Featuring South African MP Tony Leon, former Democratic Alliance Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and the party's former leader. A stolen election in Zimbabwe and the elevation of Jacob Zuma to the presidency of South Africa’s ANC are now dominating headlines in South Africa and the sub-region, with anti-immigrant riots topping the news at the moment.
Mugabe overstretches voters' patience
IPN Opinion article
The 18th of April is Zimbabwe's Day of Independence but, after throwing off white rule, we have still not overthrown one-man rule.
Mugabe is not Zimbabwe
IPN Opinion article
Either we Africans are blind, selfish and greedy or something worse is holding us back. As a Zimbabwean, I have seen my country turned from breadbasket to basket case and I can tell you that our educated and hard-working people are not fools, but victims.
Although we are an extreme case, these oppressive economic and political policies are not exclusive to Zimbabwe.
In Awe Of Mugabe
IPN Opinion article
African Union leaders meeting their European Union counterparts in December are supposed to represent our future but when it comes to Robert Mugabe they are stuck in an ideological time-warp: Mugabe is a freedom-fighter and Zimbabwe is a victim of Western depredations, including threats to boycott the meeting.
Aids has no cure - remember?
IPN Opinion article
It does seem paradoxical -- nay, tragic -- that the world may end up spending tens of billions of dollars annually to provide painful, only moderately successful treatment to prolong life, while not making millions of people healthy from curable diseases like malaria for only a few billion. In these days of emotional politics, perhaps the rich world will only spend money on diseases with which it has some familiarity.
