Hain urges calm transfer of power in Zimbabwe

Apr 2 2008 by Tomos Livingstone, Western Mail

THE international community must not repeat its “colossal failures” in Zimbabwe and ensure a calm transfer of power away from President Robert Mugabe, former Cabinet Minister Peter Hain says today.

Neath MP Mr Hain, who made his name as anti-apartheid protester in the 1970s, said Mugabe and his allies should be offered a safe route out of the country if necessary.

There were signs last night that Mugabe was finally preparing to stand down after 28 years of violent rule that have left the once-rich nation an economic basket-case.

His advisers were reported to be holding talks with main opposition leader Morgan Tvsangarai after Saturday’s elections, the full results of which have not been officially declared, but Mr Tvsangarai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has claimed victory.

Mr Hain, a former Africa Minister, writes in today’s Western Mail, “This is a moment of truth for Africa and especially the Southern African neighbours. An African solution to this African crisis is needed now.

“The truth is that Zimbabwe represents a colossal failure of diplomacy – for Britain, for South Africa, the EU, UN, Commonwealth – for everyone concerned. And the consequences have been shocking.”

The elections that hinged on the destruction of the economy with people suffering to survive inflation soaring beyond 100,000%.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has so far released results for 132 of the 210 seats in the country’s House of Assembly – giving the MDC 68, against 64 for Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF.

The commission has offered no results in the presidential race, where Mr Mugabe faces a challenge from Mr Tsvangirai as well as independent Simba Makoni.

The MDC has claimed victory based on its own analysis of results posted outside polling stations. Mr Mugabe has not been seen in public since the weekend.

Mr Hain writes, “The international community must insist that the democratic verdict is upheld and that there is an orderly transfer of power, with Mugabe and his elite offered a safe passage if they wish. This requires global engagement from the United Nations in New York to Beijing, which has been bankrolling Mugabe as it buys up the country’s rich resources.”

He calls for an “international movement of solidarity” with Zimbabweans and against Mugabe, saying, “The people of Zim- babwe need our help now.”

Mugabe was hailed as a hero when he seized power in 1980 after a seven-year guerrilla campaign to end white minority rule. But his policy of seizing white-owned commercial farms giving the farms to relatives, friends and cronies saw his international support unravel.

Today a third of the population depends on imported food handouts. Another third has fled the country as economic and political refugees, and unemployment is at 80%