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Mugabe Denounces 'Neo-Colonial' UK

Mugabe Denounces 'Neo-Colonial' UK in Time

Defiant Robert Mugabe says Britain is trying to 'steal our country'  in the Times

Zimbabwe: 'Zim Not for Sale'  on AllAfrica.com

"He said the United Kingdom had no moral authority to preach to Zimbabwe about democracy as the Zimbabweans fought the former coloniser in order to bring about such democracy."

We may hate what is going on in Zimbabwe. I do. But sadly I believe we must at least hear Robert Mugabe. The history is complex. But below the history is a moral foundation, that colonisation was wrong and that the offence of colonialism still seems to have power.  Where the ties of colonialism are still being fought twenty seven years after Independence, and the threat of neo-colonialism is being raised, this must be more than just the (very obvious) rhetoric of a tyrant.

We still owe this nation an apology.

African legacies: settler-colonialism, land-politics

There is a useful article on Zimbabwe on Open Democracy.

African legacies: settler-colonialism, land-politics

When Robert Mugabe complained at the European Union-Africa summit in Lisbon on 8-9 December 2007 about the "arrogance" of Europe's leaders he was on the right track. Add "hypocrisy" and "ignorance" to arrogance, and he hits the target.

Because when one looks at Europe's record in Africa, the idea that its prime ministers and presidents can claim the moral authority to lecture the continent on how to behave sticks in the throat.

Put aside the record of the host, Portugal; leave, for the time being, the example of Belgium; and deal with France and Spain on anther occasion. Instead, let's concentrate on the role of the United Kingdom. ....

Spanish king's 'shut up' reflects complex colonial history

Not the British Empire now, but Spain's.

Link: Spanish king's 'shut up' reflects complex colonial history - International Herald Tribune.

However much one might wish a nation to move on, and leave behind its pain at the colonial period, telling them to shut up may not help.

Caribbean Bishop cals for reparations for slave trade

Bishop Errol Brooks, the Bishop of North East Caribbean and Aruba has said that Britain needs to end halh-hearted apologies for the slave trade and demonstrate "fruit worthy of repentance" 

"Britain must make restitution and proof of the repentance it professes,” he said. He indicated that this should be provided in terms of education and training for young people to develop the skills and knowledge base required for the West Indies to take its place as a modern post-colonial society. ....

.... He also said that there needed to be “a conversion of hearts” in the UK before a real practical apology was ever realised.  .... Although the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade had raised awareness of past wrongs, more still needed to be done he said. “I think there has been a real awakening of consciences in the UK. However, I think the slave trade should be included in the National Curriculum.

“We can’t operate as if nothing ever happened, we have to deal with it and wrestle with it,” he said. “We have to do all in our power that this doesn’t happen to any other race.”

Link: Caribbean Bishop calls for reparations for slave trade.

A moral audit of the British empire

Should we apologise for empire?  Was it good or bad?   Historian Piers Brendon looks at the  A moral audit of the British empire.    (If this Open Democracy link is no longer obtainable please post a comment)

An epic story of power, race, wealth, suffering and violence dominated much of the world for 250 years. Piers Brendon offers a balance-sheet of empire's achievements, follies and crimes.

The moral balance-sheet of the British empire is a chaotic mixture of black and red. So it is understandable that people today, trying to evaluate this momentous episode in what patriotic narratives refer to as "our island story", are confused. ... [continued]

Without getting into the argument as to what is the appropriate response to past wrongdoing, he concludes:

"All balance-sheets require interpretation; but it seems clear that, even according to its own lights, the British empire was in grave moral deficit."

He sums up with the words with the first published words of Edward Gibbon, historian of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire.

"The history of empires is the history of human misery."