Tough love – works for addicts, countries too

By Alec Hogg

Recovery programmes advise tough love as the only way to wean sufferers off addiction. It works. Not just for human beings.

Zimbabwe, the world’s best example of gross economic mismanagement, is once again proffering the begging bowl. It’s Finance Minister is touring Europe asking for $1bn to pay off arrears on the country’s IMF, World Bank and African Development Bank debt. Clearing these outstanding amounts will open the way for fresh lending.

In a powerfully worded editorial, The Economist magazine yesterday urged European leaders to practice tough love. We agree. If it takes an economic collapse to rid the country of Mugabe and Co, the world should let it happen. Three times since 1982, Zimbabwe has been rescued after promising to reform. Three times its elite were enriched and the people driven deeper into poverty.

There’s another angle. Zimbabwean police and soldiers have refused to act against protesters because they haven’t been paid for six weeks. Once the backlog is cleared, which fresh IMF loans would do, they have promised to arrest those brave enough to, finally, take to the streets. The Economist says emergency loans by well intentioned Europeans will prolong Zimbabwean agony. Again, we agree. After 36 years ruining the place, the Mugabe Regime is long overdue some tough love.

Supporters of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe hold a flag as they attend a rally in Bindura, north of the capital Harare, Zimbabwe July 8, 2016. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
Supporters of Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe hold a flag as they attend a rally in Bindura, north of the capital Harare, Zimbabwe July 8, 2016. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
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