Nigerian President blasts Mugabe

By Henry Makiwa
6 November 2007

Nigerian President, Umaru Yar'Adua on Sunday condemned Robert Mugabe for disregarding the rule of law. Speaking at the third Germany/European Partnership with Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany,
Yar'Adua blasted Mugabe for his heavy-handed treatment of the opposition and critics.

Yar’Adua becomes the first African leader to openly criticise Mugabe in the lead up to the EU-AU Summit, which is scheduled for next month in Portugal.

The build-up to December's summit in the Portuguese capital has been overshadowed by the row over the possible attendance of Mugabe, who is currently subject to a European Union travel ban.

Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe's former colonial ruler Britain, has vowed to stay away from the summit if Mugabe attends the meeting.

Governments belonging to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc, which is currently trying to mediate between Zimbabwe's government and the opposition, ahead of elections next year, have also threatened to boycott the summit if Mugabe is not allowed to attend.

Yar’Adua appeared to distance himself from the SADC bloc in a move observers believe might influence other African leaders to reconsider their views about the Zimbabwean crisis.

"I want to emphasise that what is happening in Zimbabwe is not in conformity with the rule of law. I do not subscribe to this,” Yar’Adua said. “There are so many opportunities which will be provided by the
Africa and Europe summit and therefore the Zimbabwean problem should not bog down these opportunities expected from the summit. The issue that will be discussed at the EU-AU Summit is partnership, which is very important, and therefore the success of the summit should not be hinged on the attendance or non-attendance of the Zimbabwean president. The attendance of Mugabe should not be made an issue.”

Also present at the event was the German President, Horst Kohler; President Thomas Yayi Boni of Republic of Benin; President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique and President Festus Mogae of Botswana.

Seasoned Nigerian political journalist Olufemi Idowu on Tuesday commended Yar’Adua for sending the right messages to his African counterparts.

He said: “There doesn’t seem to be many who can say that about Mugabe on the African continent, so Yar’Adua’s comments are refreshingly welcome.

“The Zimbabwean people are suffering and yet the leaders in Africa choose to ignore the crisis. It is up to the African leaders to discuss this issue and figure out if Mugabe’s presence in Portugal will do them any good. Otherwise the entire continent will once again miss out on an opportunity of progress,” Idowu said.