Church Leaders Speak Out Against Mugabe

The Toronto Star
February 5, 2009

Members of the Anglican clergy will be meeting in Egypt this week, and will call on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down from power. Around the world, they expect a "choir of voices" to pressure the discredited leader to step down. At a press conference in Alexandria, Egypt, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said that he, along with the rest of South Africa, appreciated international support greatly, when "number of voices sang with one tune and added pressure to the apartheid regime". Desmond Tutu, a former South African archbishop, was a central figure in the fight to conquer the apartheid in South Africa. Makgoba believes that it was because of international pressure that South Africa's system of racial discrimination was brought to an end in the 1980s, and that this same solution could work in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, Makgoba believes that all who believe in the sanctity of life, and who want human rights to be respected, should join the fight for equality. In this meeting of the Anglican leaders, there was a motion passed stating that there would be stiffer trade and travel sanctions in Zimbabwe. They determined not to militarily intervene as it would cause the death of many innocent citizens. This statement recognizes that there is a total disregard for the life of civilians in Zimbabwe as demonstrated by Mugabe's regime, and that the Zimbabwean economy has collapsed. Most importantly, it calls upon President Mugabe to step down to respect the 2008 elections. Makgoba called for this quick action, saying that it is their Christian duty to intervene before this situation truly escalades. The Anglican Primates have been "behind closed doors" since Sunday, but the meeting will end today. This statement represents the first time the Anglican Communion leaders have condemned Mugabe as one.

I truly believe that the situation in Zimbabwe is unacceptable and intolerable. I wholeheartedly agree with the actions of the Anglican Leaders who demand thet Mugabe resign as President of Zimbabwe. I also believe that the international community must intervene and do their part in supporting this statement issued by the Anglican church demanding Mugabe's resignation. It is morally the right thing to do. The metaphor of the world "singing out in support" and "joining the international choir of voices" is a moving analogy which each of us must support. Countries around the world must, therefore, listen to the Primate and pressure Mugabe to resign as President of Zimbabwe. We must as a world community, impose trade sanctions aimed at pressuring Mugabe and his government to comply with these demands. Only then can Zimbabwe's economy grow and the quality of life improve for the citizens of Zimbabwe who continue to suffer under the tyranny of the Mugabe regime.