Russia is no friend of Zimbabwe or Africa

The defeat of the United Nations resolution to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe was the right result but for the wrong reason.

China, with the Olympic Games just a few short months away and seeking to avoid confrontation, indicated that its veto basically fell with Russia’s. Had the latter gone with the resolution the Chinese would have fallen into line, but for reasons other than the interests of Zimbabwe they set out to teach the West a lesson.

As I made clear on this site and in forums around the world (that’s how strongly I felt) sanctions are not the answer at this time. There are 5,1-million people at risk of starving and sanctions would be very unhelpful. The fact is the Zimbabwean economy is in dire straits and the government’s hand will be forced into reaching a settlement.

However, at the G8 summit the Russians signalled to the world that they were in favour of strong measures against Zimbabwe. They then entered into agreements with the other states who make up that entity.

A few short days later they did a complete U-turn because “we have seen an effort to take the council beyond its charter prerogative”, Vitaly Churkin, the Russian ambassador to the UN, declared. “We believe such practices to be illegitimate and dangerous, leading to a realignment of the UN system. This draft is nothing but the council’s attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of a member state.” (Times of London)

If the UN cannot be called upon to “interfere” in other states at a time like this, why bother having a Security Council? Wouldn’t it be better to have alliances based upon mutually agreed policies rather than a powerless giant, which is what this has become?

The reason why Russia called for the veto has nothing to do with Zimbabwe. It is down to having its nose out of joint concerning the agreement being reached to house the missile shield proposed by the US in the Czech Republic. It is down to Britain accusing the Russian government of being involved in the Litvinenko affair. It is down to the fact that Russia is still trying to emerge as a superpower after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

What it is not is concern for the plight of the people of Zimbabwe. As Russia made abundantly clear, what concerns it is that nobody should meddle in the affairs of another member state. What happens in Zimbabwe is irrelevant to it.

That sanctions were not imposed is a blessing.

That Russia cannot be trusted to stick to its word, even for the short time it took to go from the G8 to the UN, is also clear. It couldn’t give a damn about what happens to the people of Zimbabwe because it’s none of its business.

Just as trusting Russia would be bad for African business.