Africa's Huge Blot
Washington Post Editorial; February 17, 2005

A Washington Post editorial examines how Africans themselves are dealing with issues of democracy on the continent especially with respect to Zimbabwe and Togo. The editorial urges South Africa not to “duck the challenge” of confronting Zimbabwe’s dictator Robert Mugabe on his lack of democratic reform. The Post agrees with Archbishop Desmond Tutu that Mugabe’s record in Zimbabwe has been a “huge blot” on Africa’s democratic reputation. The editorial notes that this is especially the case in light of a Freedom House study that shows that two-thirds of Africa’s 48 nations are classified as “free or partly free” when it comes to democratic norms.

The editors see hope in the actions South Africa and Nigeria in leading continent-wide opposition the undemocratic coup in Togo and threatening the illegitimate regime with sanctions. They acknowledge that affecting a change in Zimbabwe will be more difficult considering that Zimbabwe is more than double the size of Togo. However, the Post believes that the threat of sanctions to this landlocked country will force Mugabe to reform. They note that change in Zimbabwe at the behest of Mbeki and Obasanjo could well lead to an increase in development aid to Africa from the wealthier nations in the world.