Archbishop calls for new Zimbabwe policy
Sunday, 16 Sep 2007 11:16
The archbishop has called for the imposition of targeted sanctions against the Zimbabwean government
Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu has criticised the government for not taking a more proactive approach towards the "humanitarian disaster" in Zimbabwe.
In an article in the Observer the clergyman calls for an international response, including the imposition of sanctions, to address the severe economic and health problems Zimbabwe faces.
"The time has come for Mr Brown, who has already shown himself to be an African interventionist through his work at the UN in favour of the people of Darfur, finally to slay the ghosts of Britain's colonialist past by thoroughly revising foreign policy towards Zimbabwe and to lead the way in coordinating an international response," the archbishop stressed.
He also called for the UK to change its position on a regional solution to the problem. Archbishop Sentamu criticised South African president Thabo Mbeki for being "ineffectual" in persuading Zimbabwean president Mugabe in changing his polices.
He alleged that the South African leader was "complicit" in failing to prompt a revision of the Zimbabwean leader domestic policies.
Archbishop Sentamu said that the Zimbabwean head of state was the "worst kind of racist dictator" and compared him to the notorious Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. Britain broke diplomatic relations with Uganda over the former dictator's policies.
"Like Idi Amin before him in Uganda, Mugabe has rallied a country against its former colonial master only to destroy it through a dictatorial fervour. Enemies are tortured, the press is censored, the people are starving and meanwhile the world waits for South Africa to intervene."
The senior clergyman, who campaigned for the end of apartheid in South Africa, called for targeted sanctions to be used against Mugabe and his associates.
"The smart sanctions implemented by governments towards terror groups now need to be brought to bear upon Mugabe's regime. Britain must lead the way in calling for targeted sanctions against those purveyors of misery whose luxury is bought at the cost of unbearable poverty," he concluded.