The United Nations Security Council must decide what to do about Robert Mugabe’s theft of the Zimbabwe presidential election last week. It should begin with the international arms embargo called for Saturday by President George W. Bush, who announced that he will impose strong unilateral sanctions “against this illegitimate government of Zimbabwe and those who support it.” The Security Council should also take up stronger economic sanctions along the lines of a U.S. draft resolution.
Strong international support for tougher sanctions on Mr. Mugabe and his followers could help motivate the African Union (AU) to move beyond its unsatisfactory call on Tuesday for a government of national unity.
I search and search, but I’ve yet to see Mugabe called a dictator in “mainstream” reporting or by his peers in government.
I don’t see how sanctions against the country of Zimbabwe will motivate change. Seizing his and his cohort’s personal oversees accounts probably would create some impetus, but that would take international cooperation and not all the players are together on much more than vocal “concern” over the situation. There are some governments that could coax Mugabe away from his throne; China and South Africa having the most influence, but the least interest in actually doing anything of substance and likely throwing cold water on many of the ideas bantered about in diplomatic circles.