Africa: Hussein Execution “Barbaric�

"His execution will not solve anything,â€? said Zimbabwe’s Minister of State for Public and Interactive Affairs, Chen Chimutengwende, who added that it was the Americans and not Iraqis who killed Hussein. “The execution will strengthen the fight against American imperialism and the Americans will be defeated."

The execution of Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s deposed president, has been roundly condemned by officials and scholars throughout Africa. Most critics insist it won’t resolve the U.S-Iraq crisis or ease the orgy of bloodletting.

“South Africa remains convinced that his execution is not the panacea to the current political problems in Iraq but could fuel violence in an already volatile situation,” Ronnie Mamoepa, spokesperson of the South African foreign affairs ministry, said, speaking for the government. “We reiterate the call made by President Thabo Mbeki that, despite what happened in the past, the United Nations must get involved to help bring peace and stability in Iraq,” he said.

“His execution will not solve anything,â€? said Zimbabwe’s Minister of State for Public and Interactive Affairs, Chen Chimutengwende, who added that it was the Americans and not Iraqis who killed Hussein. “The execution will strengthen the fight against American imperialism and the Americans will be defeated.”

Dr. Godfrey Chikowore, a political analyst at the University of Zimbabwe lambasted the US and its allies  for persecuting a leader who opposed imperialistic ambitions. “It’s cruelty against  heads of states of  the developing world. An alternative to execution should have been found,” he said.

Another Zimbabwe critic and media analyst Dr. Tafataona Mahoso said both the British and the Americans had nothing to gain from the “barbaricâ€? killing of Saddam. “This execution is an act of desperation because the government put in Iraq by the occupying forces has failed to manage. This execution will incense most Third World leaders.”

He said Saddam’s execution was a tragedy to Americans who wanted to project a clean image of their country. “The execution is not going to stop anything. The execution images are going to attract the sympathy of the world against the United States and Britain,” he said.

Furthermore, the execution would fuel tension between Americans and Arabs and push Iraq deeper into a new wave of chaos and bloodbath, he added. Hussein was killed for the role the US charged he played in the death of 148 Shiites in the town of Dujail in 1982, after a bid to topple his regime.

A member of the Majlisul Ulama in Zimbabwe said it was worrying that Saddam’s execution was coming at a time when Muslim world was marking Eid Mubarak or Eid al-Adha -the Feast of the Sacrifice, a major religious holiday for Muslims.
“His execution really confirms that the Muslim world is facing a real threat of persecution from America,â€? he said. “They want to persecute our people. Allah will stand by us until victory is achieved over the Third World bully, George Bush and his America.”

Tsiko is The Black Star News’ Southern Africa correspondent based in Harare.

 

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