Nigeria Should Invade Zimbabwe on Friday
Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Now
that the government of Robert Mugabe has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that
it is not interested in having any resemblance of a democratic election, it is
time for a bold African country to invade Zimbabwe and free its people from the
strangulation of a senile tyrant.
The invasion should happen on Friday. And Nigeria should lead it.
The West should provide Nigeria with the logistics needed to round up the rogues who have messed up one of the most promising African nations.
I picked Nigeria for this assignment because the other capable nation, South Africa, is led by Mugabe’s accomplice. Thabo Mbeki has failed not only the people of Zimbabwe but also his own people by choosing to go into romance with a dictator who cares about nobody but himself.
Nigerian soldiers have experienced war in Congo, Liberia, Darfur, Yugoslavia etc. In fact, at one point or another, the Nigerian soldiers have been in all the trouble spots in Africa. They have a reputation for brutality that will make the actions of Mugabe’s security services a child’s play. Sending the Nigerian soldiers into Zimbabwe is the best case of returning fire-for-fire.
The international community has continued to issue threats and speak long winding diplomatic words that have no meaning to the thousands of Zimbabweans made homeless by a man who has obviously lost the use of his faculty. The U.N Security Council is poised to debate while Mugabe declares himself president and continues to plunder the nation beyond recognition.
Robert Mugabe has consistently argued that the West has been trying to undermine him and effect a regime change in this country. He continues to sing the old and tired song that the goal of the West is to replace him with puppets who are going to do whatever the West wants. He is willing to sacrifice his people in this foolish fight with the West.
If the West really wants to get rid of Mugabe, the West would have gotten rid of him the same way they got rid of Lumumba and other progressive African leaders. The truth is that Mugabe belongs to the Mobutu, Emperor Bokassa, Idi Amin class of crass leaders often propped up by the West for its own interest.
It is in the interest of Africa to kick Mugabe’s butt out of Zimbabwe as soon as Friday and begin the process of healing and rebuilding a nation once dubbed the food basket of Africa.
It is the responsibility of a country like Nigeria to lead in this mission. But like many African countries, Nigerian leaders have no moral authority to embark on such an endeavor. Their own election is still being disputed. And if there is one thing the African leaders know it is that when one of your fingers is pointing at another, four are pointing at you.
Like other African conflicts before this, we all watch helplessly as the world perambulates while innocent people who do not know where the breadfruits are shared suffer.
Zimbabwe is a failed nation. It is a shame that Mugabe destroyed Zimbabwe. It is a greater shame if we sit it out and observe the death of a nation and its innocents.