- Stay Connected
Socialize
Kofi Annan: Mugabe Is a Dictator
FORMER United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan has rapped African politics that nurture the “Big Man” system, which he says has created dictators in the mould of President Robert Mugabe.
Annan, a respected diplomat from Ghana, told the latest edition of the New African magazine that many dictatorships in Africa were as a result of politics that encouraged the cult of personality. His comments will debunk Zanu PF’s theory that Mugabe is considered a hero in Africa.
The 88-year-old leader, who has ruled Zimbabwe with an iron fist since independence in 1980, also claims Western governments, who were not happy with his land reforms, gave him the “dictator tag”.
Annan said Africa’s biggest undoing was the habit of blaming the continent’s colonial past for the problems many nations face today. He said it was time Africa looked beyond the continent’s colonial past.
“The support for the Big Man system — Robert Mugabe an example — created a political culture that simply encourages autocrats and dictatorships,” Annan said.
“The struggle that led to the independence in many African nations, sometimes led to the creation of national movements, and not necessarily political parties.
“When independence was achieved in these countries, they often found themselves in one big group. This led to the party-regime where the leaders did not tolerate differences, and stay on.”
He said liberation parties seldom made good political parties in Africa’s fast-changing political landscape.
“The sort of qualities that make dynamic and revolutionary fighters, are not necessarily the same qualities you need to run a nation. This leads to difficulties,” the veteran diplomat added. “African governments are becoming more sensitive to democratic demands. “This is because civil society is putting pressure on the politicians to do the right thing.
“We are now at the stage where we are seeing the generational change of leaders, who are better educated and would know what they want from themselves, and their fellow citizens.”
Mugabe’s previous administrations have used State security institutions to crush dissent.
Opposition and civil activists are still routinely harassed even after the formation of the inclusive government four years ago as Zanu PF retained control of security ministries.
Newsday.
Posted by
Southern watchman
November 23, 2012 at 9:46 am
Check your facts Annan.You failed to rebuke your masters Bush and Blair who killed thousands of Innocent civilians in Iraqi in a war which was not backed by the UN which you headed. You are not a man of principles Annan because if you had morals, you would have resigned from your position for failing to stop the two cruel monisters who wanted to drag the whole world into war just because of their craving for Iraq oil.Leave Mugabe alone because he is more humane than you. Mugabe is a above what you think he is. Shame on you! VIVA MUGABE AND PAMBELI ZANU-PF
Kaya
November 23, 2012 at 11:31 am
SO what?
mutinta moonga
November 23, 2012 at 11:36 am
I conquer with Southern Watchman. Where was Annan when Ian Smith was killing our brother and sisters in Rhodesia, where was Annan when Botha and others were killing our brothers and sisters in South Africa? it is not Mugabe who brought sanctions to Zimbabwe but your friends the British and Americans. The only thing these nations want from AFRICA are our resources. They bring in wars, make Aids and other diseases to eliminate us but they have failed, they are very distractive to the RICH African Continent. Live Mugabe alone. He is protect what belongs to him. He is not a reaper like yourselves
Nicola
November 23, 2012 at 11:42 am
its true mugabe is a dictator.
MASTER CHOTA
November 23, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Sate chakuti yrs? Mama mama mamaaaaaa. Any way thats good.
Thats why ndefwaila ba sata bakaleteko ka DICTATOR panono pakuti baka changamukeko mu zambia
The ID10T
November 23, 2012 at 2:32 pm
Mugabe IS a hero. Kofi Annan is a coward. Africa is tired of unprincipled spineless buttlickers going around praising everything their masters do while Africans continue to be exploited on their own land.
lwexis
November 24, 2012 at 2:44 pm
i hope you people can see what mugabe did to others Zimbabweans of his own,HE IS A DICTATOR CHAPWA!!!
Kalok
November 25, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Iwe southern watchman and your friend mutinta moonga, have you spoken to an ordinary Zimbabwean lately? Have you spoken to the Iraqi Kurds and the many victims of the ex-regime lately? Look beyond the politics of colonialism and face what the reality is as in right now… There are winners and losers, but in most situations when a dictator is gone there are more winners than losers.
mark
January 18, 2013 at 2:40 pm
MUGABE NI DICTATOR, no need to debate.
ashmail
January 18, 2013 at 2:52 pm
its true & he damn knws wel hw 2 do it men!!!!!