By Community Correspondent: Hannah Davies Today there is severe starvation in Zimbabwe, exacerbated by years of economic mismanagement and a leader, Robert Mugabe, who continues to select corrupt, miscalculated and anti-white policies to meet his own ends.

As a young man, Mugabe showed great promise, yet as a political leader he has failed to live up to the expectations of his fellow countrymen and women. Many believe he has exposed nothing but hatred and slander to those brave enough to take any view or action that he deems as treachery to his own beliefs. It is almost impossible to find any morality in Mugabe or his regime; this once promising politician has broken most, if not all, of the Ten Commandments he supposedly lives by, without any signs of remorse.

Mugabe continues to create a race war in Zimbabwe. One where black war-veterans can legally take a white mans farm, by any means, in order to gain its ownership. Without getting too involved with the history, Mugabe’s promise to these war-veterans (to allow for such action) has resulted in social chaos. A recent documentary on Channel 4, “Mugabe and the White African,” shows the struggle of a White Zimbabwean Farmer trying to defend his human rights in an international court, against Mugabe. The in-depth programme shows the appalling techniques used by Mugabe’s cronies in threatening the White Farmer (Mike Campbell) to give up his land. I recommend anyone interested in Zimbabwe’s situation to view this on the Channel 4OD Website.

The programme really galvanizes the question of who would and could come to the aid of the beleaguered white and black Zimbabwean people. The international community have sort to de-power Saddam Hussein because of his inhumane policies so why not rid of this power-crazy African leader who has seemingly destroyed a once impressive nation?

Maybe because Africa is not an oil rich area like that of the Middle East, maybe it’s because Zimbabwe has nothing to give the international community. Whether intervention is worth the cost of such actions requires more expert opinions and scepticism, however my view is that international intervention is sorely missed in Zimbabwe at this current time. Tony Blair said in the 2001 Labour Party Conference that there would be, “no tolerance of bad governance, to the endemic corruption of some states, to Mugabe’s henchmen in Zimbabwe,” and that if the situation continues, “Britain will have a moral duty to act there”. (Labour Party Conference 2001, http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2001/oct/02/labourconference.labour) So this ‘ethical foreign policy’ apparently endorsed by most political parties, could be perceived as words of a lie.

Thus, we as citizens can only hope that human values and international morality can stand up and decide to act upon such inexcusable behaviour. I just hope that nations not only look to expand their national reputation but also seek world peace and up holding essential human rights. However with sceptical reasons for the war in Iraq and the neglect of such pressing human issues, such a Mugabe’s actions, my trust in nations to act in the view of international peace is one that has come under increased reservation.