http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/30/canada-zimb.html?ref=rss
Zimbabwe has recently had an election, and the former President, Robert Mugabe, has been re-elected. Many people believe that he has won this position illegally and illigetimately, by threatening and intimidating his rival, Morgan Tsvangirai. Zimbabwe is on its way to seeing a political crisis.
The Canadian government has strong views on this issue and they believe that Robert Mugabe should not be appointed President because of the tactical measures he has taken to achieve this position. Canada has implemented the following sanctions:
- Restricting travel, work and study of senior members of Zimbabwe's government within Canada.
- Banning Zimbabwe-registered aircraft from landing in or flying over Canada.
- Summoning the ambassador of Zimbabwe to Canada to convey Canada's position.
- Requesting Canadian businesses to voluntarily stop doing business with Zimbabwe
I believe that the Canadian government is holding a strong stance on this issue and is doing what they feel is best and what they feel is morally acceptable, but in reality, what is this going to accomplish? Mugabe will still be the President, and he won’t be stopped from doing immoral things because of Canada’s strategy to limit any sort of communication with Zimbabwe. Canada’s strategy will accomplish nothing!
Is it really fair to punish the people of Zimbabwe? I mean, they cannot come to Canada to visit their family! I don’t think this is fair to them. I understand that the Canadian government wants to prove a point, but punishing the people of the country is not the way to do it. Can the Canadian government deal solely with Mugabe and not penalize the citizens of Zimbabwe? What do you guys think about this?
Requesting Canadian businesses to stop doing business with Zimbabwe is a good move on the Canadian governments part, but I don’t think Canada does much business with Zimbabwe in the first place anyways!
What do you guys think about the way that Canada is dealing with this issue? Is it good? Is it bad? Is it pointless?
SS
5 comments:
Canada is trying to influence Zimbabwe's politics by imposing a variety of economic sanctions. BY doing so Canada may have some influence; but Canada is not the only country that has a relationship with Zimbabwe, so its unlikely to have any major impact.
I agree with you point that we are unecessarily punishing the people of the country. Although us in Canada do not agree with the tactics used in the election; it nonetheless was an election and he was elected and we should respect the country's sovereignty.
A more effective method would be internal. The people in Zimbabwe need to use what they have to their advantage - popular support. His presidency will not go far without it. If Canada cares we should be giving the people in Zimbabwe the tools to remove him, not enforcing unjust sanctions.
I agree that this will not accomplish anything substantial. It is a short term solution to make the Canadian government feel as if they are doing the appropriate thing, however, the people of Zimbabwe will ultimately suffer. Furthermore, does this mean Canada will impose similar sanctions on other countries when they are not happy with their government? I think the following principle should be applied to individuals and governments alike: deal with your own issues before trying to interfere with others.
Unless other countries follow Canada in taking a stance against Zimbabwe, this move is merely symbolic and clearly ineffective.
Furthermore, it's pointless to restrict the citizens of Zimbabwe from coming into Canada. If the Canada really believes that the Zimbabwean government is undemocratic, why would punishing Zimbabweans have any effect on what the Zimbabwean government does?
I also agree that what Canada is doing won't solve the problem. Just because we will stop doing business with them doesn't mean anyone else will. The US is much larger than Canada and has a greater influence on the world than Canada does. It's wrong for them to stop people from entering the country. It has nothing to do with the people of the country, but the government itself. Something else should be done, such as various countries combining their powers.
Well, there isn't a lot that Canada can do - the election of a president, even where corrupt, is an internal matter of the state. We're not about to invade Zimbabwe, so the best a foreign country can do is to assist in turning public opinion against the state. Economic sanctions, travel restrictions, public statements are all they can do. After that, it's up to the people to decide enough is enough.
You are probably right in assuming Canada doesn't have extensive economic relations with Zimbabwe. But we are setting a good example, and hopefully African nations with greater influence will follow suit.
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