EDITORIAL: End the suffering, Mugabe

Speaking out against human suffering has been one of the greatest strengths of President Bush throughout his eight years in office, a fact made clear by his appropriate condemnation yesterday of the government of Zimbabwe led by Robert Mugabe. It is a rare occurrence for heads of state to call on other leaders to step down from office, but Mr. Bush did just that.

“It is time for Robert Mugabe to go. Across the continent, African voices are bravely speaking out to say now is the time for him to step down,” Mr. Bush said. He urged “others from the region to step up and join the growing chorus of voices calling for an end to Mugabe’s tyranny.” He went a step further calling Mr. Mugabe’s government illegitimate. “We stand ready to help rebuild Zimbabwe once a legitimate government has been formed that reflects the results of the March elections,” Mr. Bush said, making clear his position that Morgan Tsvangirai, the victor in those elections, is the legitimate president. By that statement, Mr. Bush has reduced Mr. Mugabe to nothing more than a tyrannical despot.

Former President Carter, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and South African human-rights advocate Graca Machel attempted recently to meet with Mr. Mugabe but were denied visas.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last week said the Mugabe regime maintained power through a “sham election” and engaged in a “sham process of power-sharing talks.” She highlighted the political “devastation” epitomized by the brutal beatings and crack down on all critics. We wrote just last week of the economic devastation noting the annual inflation rate as of July was estimated at 231 million percent - that means that no one is working, tending farms or doing much of anything except fleeing Zimbabwe by the millions. To make matters worse, a cholera epidemic is marching through the country that now has no health care system and no clean water.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu called for international action in the summer to remove Mr. Mugabe and last week said Mr. Mugabe must step down or “face indictment in The Hague.” Human suffering of this magnitude committed by acts of indifference by a government could be viewed as genocide. Regardless, the regime must not be allowed to stand.

Thank you, Mr. President, for raising America’s voice. We urge others in the international community to follow Mr. Bush’s lead and “call for an end to Mugabe’s tyranny.”