Mugabe addresses food conference in Rome as starvation deepens back home

By Tererai Karimakwenda
17 October 2005

Many were shocked when Robert Mugabe opened the food safety for Africa conference that took place in Harare earlier this month because he can be squarely blamed for the hunger that has gripped Zimbabweans. But now, as if to show support for the man whose policies have destroyed agriculture in Zimbabwe, the United Nations has allowed Mugabe to speak in Rome Monday at a hunger conference marking the 60th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

It is ironic that that the FAO wants to use the occasion to draw attention to the plight of the world's hungry, yet they would allow a man who has created starvation in his own country to address the delegates.

The United States expressed "amazement" at the UN’s invitation. Tony Hall, US ambassador to the UN food agencies in Rome said: "What can he possibly say to us at the conference, when he has done so much to hurt his own people. Food has been used as a weapon against his own people.”

The BBC reports that some delegates applauded Mugabe at the end of his speech. As usual he used the platform to criticize the west and denounced Tony Blair and George Bush as “unholy men” who, he said, want to intimidate us, and he blamed the rich nations’ farm subsidies for “crippling” the poor. The other dictators in the audience were those who applauded.

The fact is the food situation has continued to deteriorate in Zimbabwe because the ruling party keeps making all the wrong decisions and using food as a political weapon. As Mugabe traveled to Rome on Sunday, there were reports of starvation from villagers at Siakobvu district in Kariba, and people desperate for potatoes attacked 2 farms outside Harare, injuring security guards and killing their five dogs.

So why does the United Nations keep acknowledging Mugabe by cooperating with him on several events and even sponsoring others? The man has travelled extensively, despite the targeted sanctions meant to prevent that, all courtesy of UN functions in New York and around the world.

Then there is Kojo Annan, son of the UN secretary general Kofi Annan, who was involved with Leo Mugabe in the controversial construction of the new airport in Harare some years ago. The project was reported to be riddled with corruption and many scandals were exposed. There is concern that Mugabe may have created ties with Annan that are now influencing decisions on other matters.

Jobi Makinwa of Amnesty International South Africa said Mugabe’s invitation to the UN happens because the UN is a club where each member gets their turn at playing different roles. And when your turn comes up, they don’t stop to consider what may be happening in your country. Makinwa said as long as a country has full membership, it is entitled to all the benefits. This is how oppressive despots wind up on the human rights council. She explained how the African Union has a similar system. When Zimbabwe’s turn to chair the AU comes, it will not matter what role Mugabe has played in destroying his country.

UN Secretary general Kofi Annan has been seeking to reform the way the institution makes many decisions – but the UN paid for a celebration of International Day of Peace and allowed Zanu PF to organise the event, in the middle of the rubble left by the demolition exercise Operation Murambatsvina. The ruling party excluded the local MP for Kambuzuma from the affair because he was from the MDC.

There were many complaints back then, yet despite the negative response the UN has repeatedly given Mugabe a platform. To Zimbabweans who are suffering, it is just another slap in the face.