PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe whose appointment as Africa Union (AU) chairman last week received thumbs up from his Zanu PF party faces a daunting task to deal with terrorism on the continent, analysts have said.
MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER
Mugabe, who also received widespread condemnation from his Western foes, the analysts also warned he should change his tact in dealing with the West lest he invited them to his doorstep.
According to an analyst, one of Mugabe’s major tasks on the continent was to deal with the surging terrorist attacks in West Africa and ensure that the insurgents were stopped before they spread across the continent.
This came at a time the AU last week proposed to set up a regional five-nation 7 500 troops to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria.
Political analyst Takura Zhangazha said Mugabe’s major task, working as ceremonial head of the AU was to deal with major issues to do with terror groups, Ebola and Africa’s re-engagement with the West.
“His challenge will be to deal with terrorism in the West of Africa and in the region particularly North and East of Africa and ensure that issues of Ebola are addressed by engaging with Who,” Zhangazha said.
“He has to balance delicate issues of Africa in the world. Africa has to deal and negotiate with everyone and has to be diplomatic in dealing with issues. You can’t be arrogant with issues now.”
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MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said Africa should not expect a lot from Mugabe who has failed to address a myriad of problems in his own party and country. Gutu said given Mugabe’s penchant for hate speech as evidenced in him labeling former Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa a “stray braying ass” and “a stupid fool that can never be corrected” was unlikely to be diplomatic in dealing with African issues.
“There is Boko Haram in Nigeria and parts of Cameroon, there are problems in countries like Somalia, DRC and Egypt and anyone of sound mind knows he is incapable of solving them when he has failed to solve his own problems.
“Charity begins at home and if a man can’t address his own problems, you can’t solve continental problems,” Gutu added.
“He lacks the political legitimacy to lead an Africa that should be looking to consolidate democracy and good governance.”
The AU chairman’s role is mainly to act as ceremonial head of the AU and in this capacity, chairs the biannual summits and represents the continent in various international fora.
