Tutu calls for international blockade against Zimbabwe

By Violet Gonda
25 June 2008

Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu has called on the world to regard Mugabe as a “usurper” if he declares victory on Friday – the day the Zimbabwean run off is supposed to be held. The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town said that Mugabe should be isolated, as he is leading an illegitimate government.

The outspoken cleric said a blockade must be imposed against Zimbabwe, as it is the ordinary people who are suffering, while members of the regime can travel freely, especially within the region. He said if they are blocked from traveling this would make Mugabe and his ruling elite feel the pressure.

He said: “The Zimbabwean air ways should be grounded until he (Mugabe) realizes that he can’t move, he can’t do anything and would have to begin to negotiate an acceptable solution for the people of Zimbabwe.”

Tutu added: “I don’t enjoy and I don’t think anybody enjoys inflicting suffering on people but the only way, I think, that we are going to be able to help bring about change here is if Mr. Mugabe begins to feel the heat.”

The cleric said calls for a peacekeeping force should also be heeded to protect the people and maintain law and order.

Violence is escalating in Zimbabwe and Mugabe has vowed to continue with the run-off election, despite MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulling out. Scores of people have been killed, thousands brutally injured and hundreds of thousands displaced. Political leaders Tendai Biti and Eric Matinenga are still in detention, as are rights activists Jennie Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, who have now been in custody for a month, without trial.

Meanwhile worldwide condemnation of the Mugabe regime intensified.

Outspoken Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga dismissed Mugabe as an “irritant” and said his government would be pushing for sanctions at the African Union. Odinga told a conference that he would not set foot in Zimbabwe as long as Mugabe is in power.
Former South African President Fredrik de Klerk said Mugabe should be toppled, while the governing cricket body in South African has suspended ties with Zimbabwe because of the politically motivated violence. The British government has announced it would block the Zimbabwe Cricket tour of England in 2009. Prime Minister Gordon Brown also said the United Kingdom is planning further targeted sanctions, against members of the Mugabe regime and their families.

In the US, Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama said his country should lead a campaign to postpone Zimbabwe's planned run-off election and sponsor a fair one. Obama spoke to Morgan Tsvangirai by phone and shared his deep concern for the way his supporters are being targeted by the ZANU PF government.

The full interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu will be aired on the Hot Seat programme on Friday.