Letters & Opinions
The African left and Mugabe
Tee Ngugi
2008-07-09, Issue 387
http://pambazuka.org/en/category/letters/49332
Printer friendly version
In response to Zimbabwe: What are we saying?: In 1999, I wrote an article published in The Namibian newspaper calling the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe another chapter in Africa's narrative of dictatorship and murder. The others being the regimes of Nkrumah, Kenyatta, Kaunda, etc.
Leftist ideologues reacted with predictable horror. The problem why dictators like Mugabe will continue to thrive in Africa is because we make excuses for them. They are nationalists, socialists, or Africanists, etc. This kind of argumentation ridiculously suggests that it is okay for a leftist, nationalist or Africanist to murder and pillage. It is only wrong when the killing is done by an imperialist.
The Left, especially African Left, must reposition itself to help in creating Africa's future. As presently constituted, the Left has provided the philosophical and ideological justification for various murderous regimes.
Readers' Comments
Let your voice be heard. Comment on this article.