If all else fails, oust Mugabe by force, says Moderator

THE Church of Scotland Moderator, David Lunan, today backs direct intervention in Zimbabwe by other African countries – even including military action – to oust president Robert Mugabe from power.

Writing in The Scotsman, the Rt Rev Lunan, who took over as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland earlier this year, says something has to be done to end the suffering in the southern African country.

The Moderator is adamant that intervention should not come from the West or from former colonial powers, insisting that it is up to African countries to take the lead.

But he said that, if other African nations do decide to intervene militarily to remove Mugabe and re-establish democracy, then he would give that action his full support.

Mr Lunan says: "A lasting solution can only come from within the southern African region. Even as we condemn the violence, and call on our own government to act, we recognise that Western-led action will only make the situation worse.

"We support intervention led by Africans to solve an African problem. We call on our government to back African involvement, even if that includes direct intervention."

The Moderator's strong comments came as Gordon Brown hit out at Mugabe's "blood-stained" Zimbabwean regime and branded last weekend's election result a "travesty".

Mugabe was re-elected as President of Zimbabwe last weekend in an uncontested election after his rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew warning that his supporters risked getting killed if they went out to vote.

The decision by Mr Lunan to speak out so forcibly and to back military action, if that is the decision by other African nations, represents a significant step for the Kirk. But the Moderator feels so strongly about the situation in Zimbabwe because he has heard repeated stories from church colleagues in the southern African country and knows that, without some form of intervention, the suffering and brutality will continue.

He says: "Just as in years past a passion for justice has united southern Africans to bring down the racist Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and the apartheid regime in South Africa, so today we look to the leaders and people of southern Africa to bring an end to the monstrous oppression being endured by the people of Zimbabwe."

And he adds: "We believe that action can be taken which will restore the hope of the people of Zimbabwe.

"Responsibility for that action lies with all of us, with people of good will here in the UK, and in the West, and especially with Zimbabwe's neighbours in Africa."

Brown in pledge on sanctions

GORDON Brown hit out at the uncontested presidential election during Prime Ministers Question's yesterday.

Mr Brown told the Commons that the "only credible" election was the earlier one, in which the opposition "MDC recorded a victory".

He welcomed the African Union's call for an end to violence and mediation, before setting up a "transitional" government in the country.

"Having talked to the UN Secretary General this morning, I think it's right that the UN send an envoy to Zimbabwe.

"In the absence of real change we will step up our sanctions and ask other countries to do so," he warned.

"We will press for tough action on Zimbabwe at the Security Council later today. We will do so at the G8 in the coming days."