Today the UN General Assembly, that unerring barometer of world opinion, will acclaim Zimbabwe’s election to chair the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, the panel that deals with development and the environment. Thunderous applause from Africa’s numerous delegations, doubtless joined by Zimbabwe’s good friend China, will make up for the West’s inexplicable lack of enthusiasm.

Zimbabwe’s triumph is certain because it is Africa’s nominee. Under an unwritten UN rule, this was Africa’s “turn” in the seat, so what Africa says, goes. African governments clearly appreciate the example Zimbabwe sets in tackling global warming.

Why, only this week the Mugabe regime announced that households are to be rationed to four hours of electricity a day. No matter that the reason for this enforced curtailment of consumption is the catastrophic mismanagement of Zimbabwean resources: results are what count.

Nor is this President Mugabe’s only pioneering contribution to curbing global warming. Few people can lay their hands on petrol these days, and with inflation at 2,200 per cent and soaring fast, fewer still can afford it. Tractors rust on the farms that made Zimbabwe an African breadbasket. Hoes are ever so environmentally friendly. Mr Mugabe’s land “reforms” threw not only white owners, but 350,000 black families who worked for them, off the land and out of work. Result, maize production is down by 80 per cent, so Zimbabweans are doing their bit by having only one meal in two or even three days.

They are also dying earlier, at 35 instead of 60 in 1990, and, along with the absence of medicines for all but the elite, the spread of HIV/Aids to a fifth of the population is doing wonders for population control. Pity that people are forced to cut wood for fuel, but nothing’s perfect.

Before the vote, Western governments stuffily protested to African capitals that Zimbabwe was neither developing nor sustainable. They made no more headway than they have on Mr Mugabe’s sickening human rights violations. Africa’s leaders are a tolerant lot – tolerant of the foulest regime, for fear of being held to account in their turn. They also have a wicked sense of humour, never better on display than at the UN. Four years ago Africans unanimously chose Libya to head the UN Commission on Human Rights; their honouring of Zimbabwe is similarly witty.

They are blessed in their friends. Yesterday Oxfam again roasted the G8 for failing to redouble aid to Africa. No matter that respect for democracy and clean government was supposed to be part of the “new deal”. Poor Tony Blair, poor Bob Geldof. Poor Africa. Would the last Zimbabwean to flee the country remember to turn out the light – if there’s a light to turn out?

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