Intervention needed to remove Mugabe now

It is sad to witness what has been going on inside Zimbabwe and the state of hopelessness that the international community, including the United Nations and the African Union, finds itself in. Horrible regimes - like President Robert Mugabe's in Zimbabwe, especially - know full well that the international community is fickle and indecisive. Those outsiders looking in tend to be emotional and lack consistency of view.

The crisis in Zimbabwe has been going on for years, under the close scrutiny of foreign observers. Sad but true, nobody can really do anything to bring about positive change inside the disintegrating country. The ongoing cholera epidemic has already killed nearly a thousand people in the past month and it may become even more widespread. International health experts have warned that without proper and comprehensive measures to tackle the outbreak of the disease, more people will die.

Mugabe made a mockery out of Western countries' concerns over cholera in his country, saying that the West wanted the disease to spread so that it could justify military intervention. Which begs the question: What can the international community and world leaders do in the face of such an evil man? Wait, or just wait some more?

When the United Nations approved the doctrine of "Responsibility to Protect", or "R2P", it was hoped that this measure would allow the world body and its international agencies to help save humanity from genocide and abuse committed by heartless dictators. Unfortunately, there are many such rogue leaders in the world today who are willing to let their people die of disease and hunger as they cling on to power. Apart from Mugabe, General Than Shwe of Burma immediately comes to mind.

The Zimbabwean leader will not yield because he understands the psyche of the international community very thoroughly. It is a Darwinian world in which the survival of the fittest is paramount, and in this case, the worst and the ugliest as well. So, Mugabe will not budge and victory will be his as always.

Recently, the respected International Crisis Group recommended that both Mugabe and his rival Morgan Tsvangirai step down to end the current political impasse. If both were to do so, it would allow an interim administration to implement much-needed political and economic reforms. The ICG also suggested that certain Zimbabwean politicians and senior officials, including Mugabe, be given immunity from future prosecution. Furthermore, the think-tank proposed that Zimbabwe's parliament be allowed to draft a constitutional amendment and prepare for a new presidential election in 18 months. This proposal looks pragmatic enough as it follows a middle path, realising that the ongoing impasse will adversely affect the well-being of nearly all Zimbabweans.

The UN Security Council should agree to invoke the "R2P" principle to ensure the Mugabe regime does not get away scot-free. What he has done to his country and his citizens is tantamount to crimes against humanity. It is sad that nothing has been done to reverse or rectify this situation. Rogue regimes like Burma and North Korea are watching closely how the UN and the world's powers react. Without any tangible joint action taken on Zimbabwe, they will emulate Mugabe - not that they need any encouragement to do so. The African Union, which has become more vocal against Mugabe, has limited resources to intervene in the country. But a combined effort by the UN and the AU would provide a full mandate for whatever actions or measures these organisations deemed fit to take.

Without any concrete action, there will be more cases like Zimbabwe. Given the global financial crisis, Western countries have become more inward looking and are concentrating on their immediate problems. This represents a win-win game for Mugabe, who continues to cherish every moment of his reign amid world condemnation.