Uganda to assume mediatory role between Mugabe and Britain

By Henry Makiwa
27 November 2007

President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has accepted a mediatory role in the diplomatic impasse between Britain and Zimbabwe, his office has said.

Museveni assumed the responsibility following a request from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Sunday. Brown reportedly made the request during a meeting on the sidelines of the just-ended Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

Observers have however expressed doubts that the proposed initiative will yield anything, given the warm friendship between Mugabe and Museveni, with many questioning his impartiality in handling the issue.

Museveni is largely dismissed as a dictator by the opposition in Uganda. He has been pushing for the establishment of a de facto one-party state system called “the Movement”.

We are reliably informed that Museveni promised to facilitate talks between Zimbabwe and Britain and ensure that Robert Mugabe restores democracy and the rule of law. Museveni made the assertions as he assumed his new role as the Commonwealth chairman.

Nonetheless, history rules against investing much hope in the arrangement given Mugabe’s track record as a man who does not negotiate and one who is intent on holding on to power.

Speaking from Kampala, Museveni’s spokesman Tamale Mirundi said British Premier Brown promised to assist Mugabe in repairing the country’s destroyed economy, if he observed democratic principles.

He said: "The President (Museveni) said that in his capacity as Commonwealth chair, he can influence President Mugabe because previously he had no capacity to involve himself in Zimbabwean politics. The plus in all this is that Mugabe is good friends with Mr. Museveni as well. Mr. Brown told us that Britain was willing to participate in the rehabilitation of Zimbabwe's economy if Mr Mugabe restores order in Zimbabwe. But Mr. Museveni also pointed out that Zimbabwe’s concerns need to be appreciated.”

Mugabe blames Britain for the country’s crisis, accusing the former colonial power of reneging on its role to facilitate land redistribution and sabotaging industry and commerce. But it is well documented that Zimbabwe’s current crisis has been created by nothing more than bad governance and endemic corruption.