African Leaders Might Condemn Mugabe, But Don't Hold Your Breath

MEETING EVIL Mugabe (Photo: Getty Images) Yesterday saw the opening of the African Union summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and Robert Mugabe, fresh from his sham inauguration to another term as president of Zimbabwe, was there. Enthusiasm over the dictator's presence in the wake of his campaign of murder and intimidation against Zimbabwe's opposition was muted, and, while most of the attending nations expressed disapproval, the consensus seems to be that this is an African problem and Africa will resolve it, perhaps by issuing a mildly-worded statement of comdemnation. The topic is set for discussion today. Mugabe spokesman George Charamba expressed a willingness to have "discussions" with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, but has also said, of Western criticism, "They can go and hang a thousand times," which seems more in keeping with the spirit of Mugabe's rule.