Monday 7 April 2008

The balancing act: RETRIBUTION - JUSTICE - APPEASEMENT

There is an imposing statue of Abraham Lincoln, US President during the civil war. He has one clinched fist, symbolising his iron resolve to see the difficult task through. The other hand is open and relaxed showing his willingness to welcome the rebellious Southern States back into the Union. The search for justice, for example, should not be an exercise in retribution nor one of appeasement.

Tsvangirai’s repeated overture of love and promise of safety to Mugabe are weighing heavily on the side of appeasement. Mugabe has committed some heinous crimes and he must held to account. To appease him would be to belittle the suffering and lost lives of his victims and to endorse his perverted notion that he is above the law.

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