by Alfred Haysbert

Created on: September 02, 2008

When Zimbabwe won its independence in 1980, the world was filled with hope. The man who led the new nation, Robert Mugabe, seemed to be an intelligent and dedicated leader who could bring prosperity and peace to the new country. In 1980, the Zimbabwe dollar was roughly equal with the American one. Zimbabwe was regarded as one of Africa's most prosperous countries and a leader of the continent.

In 2008, Zimbabweans have to carry their money in wheelbarrows to buy bread; your average citizen is a billionaire. 3.4 million have fled to other countries. The average life expectancy for a Zimbabwean man is 37 years old and HIV infection rate for 15-49 year-olds is 20 percent. True, many of these statistics are similarly repeated in many other African countries. But no other African country experienced such a dramatic fall from riches to rags, and the blame for this crime falls on Robert Mugabe.

When Mugabe took office in 1980, it quickly became known that he was more interested in staying in power than in helping his people. His party, the Zanu-PF, frequently launches attacks on political rivals and is known for massive corruption. His program of land reform was ostensibly designed to help struggling peasants, but ended up causing an exodus of Zimbabwe's white population and the leftover land stolen by Mugabe's cronies. International criticism is always answered with a blanket charge of "colonialism" designed to distract people from the horrible job Mugabe is doing.

Mugabe has stolen, censored, bribed and killed to maintain his grip on the government of Zimbabwe. His throne is built on a tower of skulls. Like so many despots, he will likely die in luxury, knowing nothing of the way his countrymen perish starving on the streets. Allowing him to appear at the UN Food Summit is a slap in the face of the people of Zimbabwe. Mugabe knows nothing about ending world hunger, he is one of its greatest perpetrators. It is akin to inviting Bill Gates to an anti-technology convention.

It's hard for the international community to find a solution to this problem. Sanctions can only go so far. Starvation and despotism in Africa doesn't seem to be a reason for any nation to go to war. This seems to be a problem Zimbabwe must solve for herself, and many of her sons and daughters are resisting Mugabe and his thugs admirably.

But, one thing we in America, in The UK, in France, Russia, Japan, Norway or Egypt can do is to deny him any measure of prestige or sense of accomplishment on the world stage. If Mugabe can avoid facing our actions, he can at least be forced to deal with our disapproval. Banning him from the UN Food Summit is a good start.

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