I agree rejoicing in someone’s suffering is offensive and wrong headed. However, I can’t help thinking that very occasionally there are exceptions. And I think this is probably one.
He is an evil man and mankind in totality is probably better off without him. I imagine even as we speak some continental STWers are on their way to the clinic with the requisite set of bombers. Firm but fair.
Mugabe dies and then what? He has millions of supporters and is revered through out Africa. I don’t like him or his policies, but I’d prefer a political and peaceful transfer of power than a mad scramble amongst his minions. As for dancing on the grave of an old women with dementia who has been out of office for two decades during which labour ruled for over a decade is beyond the Pale.
I’d prefer a political and peaceful transfer of power than a mad scramble
That’s probably quite an inoffensive thing to prefer but unfortunately he a) is ancient and b) hasn’t shown any particular interest in transferring power peacefully in over three decades, so whether he pops his clog in the Big Durian or not, you’re not going to get your wish.
….not sure if Fidel’s transfer of power to his septuagenerian brother is really the beacon of hope you’re making it out to be! 7 years on and no sign of regime change yet.
Autocratic regimes are inherently unstable because they don’t create institutions which can manage transitions of power.
Which is why we shouldn’t be queuing up to deliver the coup de grace with a set of bombers…
That’s not what’s happening though, is it?
In any case, if a period of turbulence is inevitable when autocrats get deposed (by nature or by human actors), you can’t just sit back and wait for dreams of a peacefulish transition to come true. They rarely do (although perhaps Pinochet and Honecker are counterexamples) and you’re still living under them in the meantime).
He’s senile/mad/evil (all of the above) and has needed to go for a long time. It’s a shame he’s dying of “old age” like this whilst still in power.
I’ll be honest and state I’ll party when he dies. I wouldn’t party after Maggies death. But then I was never in her presence to hate her so much for what she’s done.
He will have the best medical attention available until his dying breadth with his suffering kept to a minimum by some of the best medical care money can buy. While he is in the hospital his wife and flunkies will be able to take time and enjoy the shopping, food and entertainment that a great city like Singapore can provide safe in the knowledge that they will never be asked were all of the money comes from or asked to pay it back.
I will not regret his death, only the fact there is no hell where his debts can be paid in full.
It’s a pity Singapore let him in the country, he ought to be made to end his days among the people he has terrorised. Let the disgusting old fascist die and then lets all just forget about him.
What about the 3,000 white farmers killed on their land in South Africa since 1991? Everyone dislikes nasty Bob, but no one cares about the genocide happening south of his borders. I don’t see anyone rushing to condemn Mandela or his successors.
However much you dislike what the ANC has become you cant seriously claim that white farmers in SA are being murdered by the government, as in Zimbabwe.
As for Mandela, you need to read “Long Walk to Freedom”. If there is a more humbling example of forgiveness and sheer humanity than Nelson Mandela’s actions towards his former enemies I’d very much love to hear about it. If even Norman Tebbit can admit he was wrong about Mandela….
The ANC is complicit through negligence. Many of the farm murders are far more brutal than needed if the motive was theft. The aim is to intimidate others and to ethnically cleanse the area of European land owners. The ANC is embarrassed by its failure to redistribute the land to blacks as promised in every manifesto since 1991. This is why a Mugabe worshipping thug like Julius Malema enjoys the support of millions of poor South Africans. The ANC has only expelled him when his rhetoric to nationalise the gold mines and industry made foreign investors nervous.
I will cry the day Madiba dies. But he and his successors have not done enough to prevent the politically motivated mass murder of white farmers when the World condemns Mugabe for lesser evils.
He has millions of supporters and is revered through out Africa.
Have you got some evidence to back up this stunning claim that Mugabe is “revered” throughout Africa ?
I would be genuinely interested.
I thought that after falling out with the ANC, which for the obvious historical reason of both fighting white minority rule he once had close links, that he really didn’t have any friends left in Africa, let alone was “revered” throughout Africa.
My Mrs’s dad drove Mugabe around London during the Rhodesia/Zimbabwe Independence talks with Smith; he didn’t like the man then. He also drove Smith and found him a delightful chap. Smith gave him some cuff-links, which I have curiously inherited when her dad passed away earlier this year. It’s a strange world.
I pity Mugabe’s imminent death because it means he will escape justice.