Charles Mabhena
The United Nations and SADC region have been urged to take similar action on Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe described as one of the world “Demagogue” for actions deemed similar to the former Gambian strongman Yahya Jammeh who refuses to get out of office.
Political analysts say it is a fact that the Zimbabwean president has abused his country system to stay in power, even refusing to go when he was beaten by the opposition in an election in 2008. They say, he continues to stay in power trampling on the rights of his people at the full glare of the international community.
According to Pedzisayi Ruhanya in 2008 we almost had a Yayha Jammeh situation in Zimbabwe,” What’s the difference between Gambia and Zimbabwe in terms of regime type?” Quizzed Ruhanya.
“Jayha Jammeh is one of those African dictators who hallucinate owning countries and citizen. Your time is up Jammeh!” posted Ruhanya on his twitter account.
Dewah Mavhinga says ECOWAS has shown that is not biased regional grouping as SADC which in 2008 could not tell Mugabe straight to leave power.
Hundreds of people got killed and hurt following Mugabe’s defeat. Others were internally and externally displaced from their homes, community and the country.
Recently, a report by Human Rights Watch roundly condemned the SADC group for not taking action
West African leaders have given Yahya Jammeh, who lost elections last month, until midday on Friday to hand over power and agree to leave The Gambia or face military action carried out by the regional bloc ECOWAS.
West African troops entered the country to bolster its new President Adama Barrow – who was sworn-in on Thursday – but military operations were suspended a few hours later in favour of a final diplomatic push to convince Jammeh, who has stubbornly refused to quit, to exit peacefully.
Al Jazeera reports that Senegalese troops have been mobilized to launch an attack on Jammeh if the mediation process that is currently going on stalls.
A total of 7,000 troops along with tanks had been mobilised by Senegal and four other nations, which had crossed into the tiny tourist-friendly country on Thursday evening without resistance.
Aljazeera recently reported that support for the long-ruling leader has been crumbling. The army chief joined ordinary citizens celebrating in the streets on Thursday seven weeks after contested polls.
“Diplomacy is a long road – it always has been and always will be – so every opportunity to find a resolution is the best means possible for the region,” Robin Sanders, a former US ambassador to ECOWAS, told Al Jazeera.
