Yes, Robert Mugabe used to be a hero of Zimbabwean people liberation struggle against the white minority regime of Ian Smith. But like many African leaders, he has become a murderous tyrant against the very people he helped to liberate more than 20 years ago. He started with his fellow liberation leader of the same struggle, Joshua NKomo, the leader of Zapu and considered the “Father of the Zimbabwe liberation.”

It is a known fact that Mugabe hunted this man from time to time until his death, only to rain all kinds of praises on his dead colleague for his role in the liberation struggle. When NKomo was alive, Mugabe did not allow free and fair election. And still today, Mugabe does not have any desire to allow democratic free and fair election. He is a president for life against the wishes of Zimbabweans. Since the death of NKomo, MDC is the only serious challenge against this ruthless tyrant.

Those who think that white people are out to get Robert Mugabe are wrong. Those who think that Washington or London should not be demanding free and fair election in Zimbabwe are wrong. When we wanted the abolishment of the apartheid system, we put moral pressure on the west to impose sanctions on the apartheid regime which it did. When we were tired of Charles Taylor's brutal regime, we begged Uncle Sam to come and take him. When Rwandans were butchering each other, we accuse the west for not doing anything. All of these explain our own inability to solve our own problems. Now that Robert Mugabe has stolen an election and in the process is killing fellow Zimbabweans while only the west is telling it like it is, it is sad that some people are only seeing and crying racism. It is sad they will stand by Mugabe while he kills fellow Zimbabweans.  All those “super African patriots” are only using the west as a scapegoat while they look the other way when Robert Mugabe is dragging his country to the grave.  
 
What is the difference between a Charles Taylor, and a Robert Mugabe who is brutalizing his own people? As a Liberian who suffered as a result of Charles Taylor’s brutal regime, I am happy that George Bush demanded that Charles Taylor step down from power. Matter of fact Bush was speaking when thousands of Liberians had gathered in Washington DC demanding that Washington do something about the situation back in Liberia. I am sure that the Zimbabweans are happy that when they have been led down by some African brothers and sisters, Washington or London can stand by then. When the so called African Union does not have the moral courage to stand up to the likes of Mugabe and itself has members who are presidents for life and will do anything to stay in power, who is there to speak for African people on matter of human right and democracy? In the struggle against a brutal regime such as that of Mugabe, people don’t care where the help is coming from.

Just like any African, I love Africa and want the best for Africa but I will not blindly support tyrants like Mugabe who want to be presidents for life and are willing to kill people to ensure they stay in power. We all know how greed for power has dragged our rich continent to the grave. We all know how powerless the majority of African people feel when it comes to doing anything to solve Africa’s problems. What is even frustrating is to see some Africans, particularly African-Americans always siding with African dictators while accusing the west for interfering in African affairs. What they are telling us is that it is right demand our human rights from white man but we can’t put the same demand on African leaders. We suppose to be quiet when our own African leaders are killing us and destroying our countries simply because they want to remain in power until death. This is very insulting to Africans for others to think that we don’t deserve democracy but brutalizing dictators like Mugabe.

About the author: Nvasekie Konneh is a nine year veteran of the US Navy and the author of the book of poetry, “Going to War for America.” He’s a community activist and chairman of the Liberian Writers Network (LWN). Besides writing, Nvasekie Konneh is a music producer/promoter and CEO of the KonnLove Entertainment and Production based in Philadelphia, USA. Nvasekie Konneh is the Executive Producer of the Positive Force’s CD, “Liberia, Land of the Free,” and Massebe Kamara’s debut CD, “Dengo.” Contact info: KonnLove@aol.com.