I agree with you 100 %. I have a further suggestion, return Africa to its pre-colonial borders based on tribal kingdoms and native lands.The current setup with multicultural peoples sharing power in any present African does not and will not ever work. Native group must have pride in themselves first

Jay, Vermont, USA

Over 30 years after colonial rule, most “ex-colonial” masters in Africa still have strong influences on local government. They divide nationals to have a firm grip. It is therefore normal that die hard nationalists like Mugabe be considered as demons reason for the bad media campaign against him.

Agendia Aloysius, Douala, Cameroon

I commend you for reporting the bigger picture here... If only we could apply the same truth to the issues we have in Afganistan... and how we have given birth also to the terrorism we now fight... And what about Sadaam did we not give birth to him too? When will we learn a better kind of politics!

J. Taylor, Montana, USA

If people had study their history,they would have known that bratian had sign a peace treaty with Mugabe and the freedomfighters who was fighting to destroy that evil[racism/colonialism]system that had been created to rob the black/Africans of the lands that white setters invaded in the first place.

Terry Mitchell, Dublin, USA

Your article correctly chronicles zim's history and also rightly interprets the main reason for the confrontation between britain and mugabe now. And because of the significance of this former british colony, and mugabe's anti- neo-colonialism/pan africanism, the approach to the zim case must alter.

De Bruno, Harare, Zimbabwe

Cecilia, I take my hat off to you. Too often people forget that racism is a two way street. And you are right, racism/colonialism are not the issue in Zimbabwe. The problem is one old man with a case of megalomania who will never have enough money/power. Take Zim back the way he took it, by force.

Charlie, Cheltenham,

I seem to remember that Dr David Owen & Jimmy Carter were very influential in glossing over how Mugabe won his first election e.g. through fear, torture, murder, kidnapping of children, assassination of competitors in his own party (Tongagara) etc. Nothing much has changed since then, same tactics

Arthur Philip, Dublin, Ireland

why do people continue to blame colonialism for any problem that rears it's head. Britain has been colonized many times over, but it refuses to be held down by the past and look at the success it has made for itself. I am ashamed to say that, black as I am, this is a black excuse the world over!

cecilia, johannesburg, South Africa

Mugabe has been running Zimbabwe for 28 years. That's a long time. The only British mistake that is relevant to the country today is that the Brits allowed Mugabe to gain power in the first place - he won the 1980 election by organizing violence against the supporters of his opponents.

Hans-Peter, Zurich, Switzerland

We deserve the right to agree and disagree amongst ourselves. Imagine say the Democratic party in the US receiving funds and other forms of support including media massaging from Libya. How will the Republicans respond to that. There is so much one sided analysis and undue inteference clouding Zim

eric, harare, Zimbabwe

I say dispense with all the political correctness. In the sort of "one world" that we are becoming, it is essential that regardless of non-interference in sovereign politics policies, that it is essential that all nations be upheld to hold free and fair elections- invade and remove the despot Mugabe

James , Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The Denial of Colonialism-

It is true that Mugabe is a problem but so are the creators of the Mugabe problem. Colonial institution past or present do not want to take responsibility.

The colonial government of the United States- does not want to accept the Native American tragedy.

Joseph Marquez, Jacksonville, USA

Great article and it goes to the heart of the issue. The problem reminds me of a pimple on the skin that the Brits are trying to remove but they are ignoring what created the core. If they are really concerned about the people why would they want sanctions? Forget Mugabe and invest in people

kevin, washington dc, USA

I must say you are the first amongst many who have been bold enough and reflect upon Zim's History. This rabid media campaign is similar to the Iraq fiasco. people are ignoring history and forgetting the causes. Most of the events are in fact 50 -70 years ago and well withing living memory.

alvin, Harare,

Emily from lusaka ,don't you think that after some twenty something plus years ,of COMRADE MUGABE'S rule the people of Zimbabwe deserve a new leader especially one who is not senile?i cry for Zimbabwe even though i am not from there.

MATTI, Sacramento, usa

Sweet Zimbabwe. I love you Zimbabwe. You are as beautiful as ever. Long live Zimbabwe. Your day will come. You will shine again. I love you Zimbabwe. My country. Your sun will shine. I love my Zimbabwe. Mugabe comes and pass. Mbeki goes and dies. Zimbabwe you will be there for my heart. I love you.

Angela, Harare, Zimbabwe

what a foolish, ignorant piece of rubbish! If you think for that the land issue, racism, imperialism, colonialism or any other 'ism' has anything to do with it, you have allowed Mugabe to brainwash you. Mugabe is playing a very clever card, and, oops, you, Mr Holman, have fallen for it too!

cecilia, johannesburg, South Africa

I beg to differ with the parallel drawn btwn Mugabe's Zimbabwe & Kaunda's Zambia. The west is villifying Mugabe only of their relatives' plight who Bobby was "compelled" to hound out their private forestries on black African soil. What exactly is Tsvangirai's land policy? UK must honour promises!

Emily , Lusaka, Zambia

I take the middle part of your piece more seriously than your so-called thesis.

Zimbabwe does matter, period. Human rights do matter. The stability of Southern Africa is at risk and must be prevented from sliding into war.

The chickens coming home to roost argument is moot.

Austin, Boston, USA

Mugabe does not speak for Zimbabweans. A white man truly on Zimbabwean soil knows that. We are one. If Zimbabweans hated the West, why would they flock to UK? Mugabe grew up with white Jesuits and still eats with them. He is Catholic. Why is Pope quiet? Because Catholics still hold most of the land

Angela, Harare, Zimbabwe

the people of Zimbabwe have to want change badly,just like we did in Zambia, when we voted off Dr Kaunda ,with an overwhelming majority such that, there was no need for a run off election .WE SENT HIM AND HIS CROONIES A STRONG MESSAGE

MATTI, Sacramento,

Forward with Britain! Intervene for our people silently dying on the hands of Mugabe. average death rate cut by half to 34 or so for women; brain drain to UK, SA etc.; 1 million Aids orphans; +80 unemployment rate, culture destroyed. True White Zimbabweans and Black Zimbabweans unite-- MUGABE OUT!!

Angela, Harare, Zimbabwe

The tragedy is that Zimbabwe went from one of the most stable and envied nations on the continent to an impoverished dictatorial nightmare.
Regardless of the reasons behind Mugabe's paranoid delusions, the fact is that he has destroyed his country's infrastructure and brutally oppresses his people.

Ellis, Pecos,

Dave from Santiago says China has troups in Zimbabwe to assist Uncle Bobby. How does Dave know that, does he live there? I lived there, in Mutare, Zimbabwe, for 3 years and the only Chinese I saw were business men and tourists.

Mike, Wilmore, USA

Uncle Bobby in Zim will surely not leave without much bloodshed. How much suffering must the people of Zimbabwe endure?

Mike, Wilmore, USA

I'm not a Mugabe supporter but the comments from Steven Prussia from Middlesex make me feel extremely uncomfortable. This person has not paid for a whole consignment of clothing which he took from a small cottage factory in Africa in 2006. How can 250 families not be resentful against the British?

Arlene, Cape Town,

No wonder an English man could never be trusted in the dark. Even when they try to tel the truth, they still lie. Mugabe didn't ask for independence from colonial oppression, and Britain was like fine here. They fought a 14 yr fierce war to rid themselves of the worst racist colonial oppression.

John, Philly, US

Africa has more problems than those of their local despots! I am amazed that there is no reporting of how China is worming it's way into Africa! Talk about trading one master for one that will be much worse! It should also be known that China has troops on the ground assisting Mugabe.

Dave Kropelnicki, Santiago, Chile

George W. Bush stole the American elections in 2000 and 2004 and Mugabe didn't intervene. Bush's position now is merely professional courtesy.

Nataloff, Los Angeles, California, USA

Its true that there is a sick relationship between psycho Bob and the Britain. Though I think its more in the former's head than anyone elses. However that is besides the point and does not exonerate the dysfuncitonal robot that ran out of the British science lab from crimes against its own kind.

mimi , Johannesburg,

What Christopher Icha needs to realize is that Mandela came to power and never clang to it like some of the African leaders do. It shows that he had a cause. The issue is why mistreat others (your fellow people moreover) becaue you want to stick to power? Im African but never vote due to such.

Flora, Tulsa,

The United States, Canada, Australia - just a few of the British colonies that have not fallen into "Britian Bashing" and do not kill thousands of their people nor lack for food. There is no one to blame but the people there who allow it to happen (and the do-gooders who agitated to "free" them).

George, Tampa Bay, USA

This is simply racism at its best against the whites. Somehow we let this go on and nobody is raising a big enough stink. Can you imagine what would happen if the whites were doing this against the blacks. Mugabe needs to be removed immediately by any means.

David, ft. lauderdale, us

Good and true article but the problem now is that Zimbabwe has reached animal farm scenario because the land, Mugabe managed to get back by force but only for the cronies who dont even know what to do with it.

Munashe Tinotenda, Southend on sea, uk

Nothing is bad about " white settlers" owning farm lands if blacks are allowed into Europe wthout queing for visas and would be allowed to enslave the white Europeans by taking over half of european's lands!. White settlers did not que for visas when they invaded Africa, same should apply to us

Lateef, Chicago, USA

What's so bad about "white settlers"? If Africans can go to Europe and work, why can Europeans own farms in Africa?

Bill, Wilton, USA

Somebody has at last said the truth. I can now die in peace. !! I almost thought nobody saw the handwriting on d wall. God bless the writer. If any body thinks Zimbabwe is in crisis more than Nigeria, that person should COME and enjoy Nigeria.. Ha ha .Nigerian Government killed more than 10,000 villagers the world kept mute. what a concern for zimbabwe?

John Paul, lagos, Nigeria

Mandela showed the world tolerance & forgiveness, his leadership was an Icon for change, not much else.

Don't live in the past where England is concerned or condemned, learn from it it may help you in the now.

Mugabe's money will run out, as will his friends, which ones have the guns?

Chris, Perth Western Australia, Australia

The UK is not to blame for the farce in zimbabwe, we left there leaving the country the richest in africa apart from south africa we continued giving aid to the tune of hundreds of millions up to the late ninties, the uk has gave millions more to zimbabwe than it ever took, >>mugabe is to blame<<

vincent, newcastle, UK

Holman has scored for both sides here. True the UK must leave Zimbabwe alone and work on the new legacy - Mr Brown - they failed since to honour many pledges made to Zimbabwe and the Queen's word came to naught. But they never created a monster called Bob - Zimbabweans did in the true African style

Jones Marova, Lagos, Nigeria

Nice article. I'm glad someone finally wrote it. England's involvement did not end at the time of independence. Just like Palestine and India, they left after creating a mess and by leaving the nation's farmlands with white settlers, these issues were bound to happen sooner or later

Fahad, Alexandria, VA, USA

Finally, somebody in Britain willing to tell the truth of why the BBC, Gordon Brown and the US are so obsessed with Zimbabwe--because the dream of a white Britain dominating Africa is still alive, although not well.
Pity no other media outlet has dared to tell the truth. Guess it's bad for business.

Jonathan, New Orleans, USA

When Nelson Mandela was serving time and seen as a terrorist by the British Government, Robert Mugabe was being knighted by the Queen. Today, Nelson Mandela has his 90th birthday celebrations in Britain surrounded by the aristocracy, and Mugabe is the terrorist. What funny people you English are.

christopher Icha, London, England

It must be only the bad that the black man can't do on his own initiative because I didn't hear anybody praise the apartheid government for creating Saint Mandela.

haralambos, joburg,

Er.. Sorry, no. It's not our fault.

Zimbabwe is in the state it's in due to one man and one man alone - Robert Mugabe. The tragedy is, Zimbabwe today is what South Africa will be in 15 years time.

You can try to stir up all the "white guilt" you like, but it doesn't wash anymore.

Sean Hunter, Glasgow,

Excellent article. Let us not forget that the FO and its cronies were informing us up to the eve of independence that Bishop Abel Misorewa and the Rev Whatsit were going to win the Zimbabwe elections. The same FO told us 3 years later that the Argies had no designs on the Falklands.

david, Ligneyrac, France

Excellent piece. Along with Matthew Parris', the best this paper has published on the subject.

luca, cheltenham/capetown/bulawayo,

10 years ago sitting in a small bar in the Trinidad rainforest , we sat talking to the locals, who were watching TV and betting on horses at Ripon, Wetherby etc the conversation came around to Trinidad independence. All agreed it was the worst thing ever to happen to Trinidad

AFJ, Launay Villiers, france

As Zimbabweans we are actually praying that Mugabe can live longer. I personally do not and will never wish to be in Britain. I think Mugabe made 1mistake: that of not driving all knuckkle-headed Britons and other such colonialists on Independence Day in 1980.

rodrick, harare, zimbabwe

You could also argue that Africa is returning to its pre-colonial roots in which a small black elite assert dictatorial control over the masses using agressive military tactics and seek to dominate or destroy neighbouring tribes.

David Lea-Smith, Edinburgh, U.K.

Mugabe shaped by The Colony ?? Sounds like he is a servant caught stealing the silver...

Mugabe is 100% african and Britain can't help us. Try living in SA or Zim. Hope some of the book profits go to a worthy cause in Zim

anna, Johannesburg, South Africa

Zimbabwe and most of the former African colonies would be much better off if they had remained part of the Empire.

Robert Champion, Lima, Peru

An excellent article, its a pity people seem to think that history has nothing to do with the present.

I also love the notion that the blacks did alright under Smith, how does this explain why there was a war of liberation - are they just ungrateful so and so's?

Heidi Hog, Birmingham,

The thing that we (UK) should never forget and retain for future reference - Ian Smith was right and foretold exactly what would happen to Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe. Cut them adrift totally, without even a backward glance, Africa's problem let them sort it out - South Africa Next.

Bill, Stavanger, Norway

This is the first piece of common sense I have read, heard or seen on this subject. I do not in any way want to belittle what is going on in Zimbabwe but it really does pale into insignificance when compared to the tens of thousands who have died in Darfur and the millions in the Congo.

Dave, Wanlockhead,

how exactly did black people benefit from colonialism? only an ex-sa can come up with such a statement. how many whites live in squatter camps? how many work as garden 'boys' & maids - for a pittance to boot. please don't say black people benefitted from colonialism. we didn't.

craig, farnham, uk

I read a great article about this the other week in The British Journal Of Sociology, although I believe it was misrepresentated as post-colonial theory.

But 'Colonial chickens are coming home to roost' I love that, genius.

Sam, Kendal,

May I suggest you explore further the issue of the British land buy out of the Lancaster agreement. Former civil servants say reasons they stopped was because monies went missing, This should have been early warning signal that the corruption already at heart of Mugabe regime. Everyone wants a hero.

Hope O Brien, Liberte, Canada

Human decency and basic sense of what is right and wrong, without any material self interest unites many posters here. These values seem very difficult for others particularly from far eastern countries to fully understand. The world is now global and wicked atrocities of others impinge upon us all.

Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom

Come on.... still blaiming ourselves for an Empire which hasn't existed for 50 years ? Get Real !

Zimbabwe's problems, like most African problems have been self generated by many years of Home Rule.

Right now, the same could be said of the UK's problems !

cap, Lincoln, UK

Thank you.When I wrote something along these lines in a comment of another broadsheet they refused to print it,Why does none ever mention that Balfour agreement ? Anna ex Jhb you are right .I lived in Africa for over 30 yrs.

D McGregor, St Mawes, UK

When Migabe took office in 1979 the white population stood at 270,000 today it is 20,000. The economy in 1979 was succesful and the country exported food, today the economy is ruined and relies on food aid. If the period of decolonisation had been handled better maybe Africa would be better place.

STEVEN PRUSSIA, EDGWARE, MIDDLESEX

yes, we're responsible for mugabe. don't forget saddam and osama, whilst you're at it. you sound like mugabe's puppet (hey, if you don't like, don't forget it's your fault).

none of us is responsible for britain's colonial past (good or bad). look at the faces around you, for a start.

jem, london, uk

Absolute left wing bleeding heart tripe - I was wondering how long it would be before the little socialists managed to tenuously link Zimbabwe's fate with Britains evil imperial past and turn a serious self inflicted situation into another chance to bash their own nation - shameful ideological junk

Bryan, Totland , UK

Unfortunatly a lot of what Mr. Holman are saying is untrue.

The land is not a issue the issue was/is power.

Land and the "redistribution" of that land was just a way of securing power.
They, ZanuPF made land an issue at a time when the people of Zim was looking for political change.

Andre Fouche, Thabazimbi, SA

"Between the 1890s and independence Britain's role was a shoddy one." What rubbish. A prosperous country was built with law, order and functioning services. As Matthew Paris said earlier, the prospect in Africa is of regression to pre-colonial barbarism at relative rates - depressing but true.

Dan Lewis, High Wycombe, UK

Britain is only in condemnation of Mugabe because a handful of white farmers have been killed. Where was your voice when 30 000 black Matabeles were massacred?

Carys Mathews, Chester,

Whatever the colonial legacy, other countries have gone through land reform - Ireland in the 1890's when the British government broke up large estates, Taiwan, Rumania and probably others. None of these resulted in economic collapse -that is Mugabe's sole responsibility and nothing to do with the UK

R Campbell, Earlston,

The reason this article stands out: It was written by someone who has lived in Zimbabwe !! There is so much more to us Zimbabweans than the headlines and TV images potray. Let us evolve "organically" without always threatening us with sanctions, bribery, war, starvation etc why won't you let us be?

Roger Ndaba , St Albans,

I am fed up with people blaming the everything on the colonial legacy. Britain once ruled large chunks of the world, but has not done so for a very very long time. Once countries become independent, it is their destiny. Unlike other colonial powers Britain did try to leave behind a working gov.

richard, andover, UK

The situation won't change w'out foreign intervention which will not happen as this'll be perceived, rightly or wrongly, as imperialism. Sadly, Mugabe is just another name to the list....Mobutu, Idi Amin, Bokassa and there will be more. Colony / independent state - they would've/will exist whatever.

Myles Barraclough, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

Mugabe shaped by The Colony?? Sounds like he is a servant caught stealing the silver...

Mugabe is 100% african and unfortunately Britain can't help us. Try living in SA or Zim. Hope some book profits go to a charity in Zim

anna, Johannesburg, South Africa

The Majority of African leaders/dictators rule the same way and got to power the same way - so what do you expect to hear from them? As a previous poster said unfortunately, the only way out is a bloody civil war. Mugabe is 84, there is surely another waiting in the wings. Who cares?

Victor M, Cricklewood, London,

'The new elections took place after a campaign filled with much intimidation by Mugabe's ZANU'

This was not last week but Fbruary 1980 !
Won't we ever learn ?

Dave Morris, Bangkok , Thailand

Africa created Robert Mugabe nobody else. As usual those who try to evade that simple point clutch at straws - vetoing the Dar es Salaam in the 1960's - laughably pathetic reasoning. Africa created him, Africa excuses him.

George King, Wolverhampton,

When Exactly will Britain be shorn from responsibility in the eyes of leftist liberal intelligensa?

Southern Rhodesia became self governing in 1923.
It was one of the last countries to pass to black rule.

In less than thirty years it has been ruined. It will never be consequential again.

rm, kent, uk

So a book being published next month is the motivation behind this Great Bull Elephant of his profession's mouthing off on Zimbabwe. Blaming the British, and not Smith's illegal regime.

Nice bit self-promotion, never mind the suffering back home.

Nigel Wroe, Doncaster, Yorkshire

great, courageous article.

hasan, cambridge,

Why are we joining Mugabe in blaming Britain for all that goes wrong in Zimbabwe? Colonial rule brought much prosperity to the Southern African countries - let us remember that both blacks and whites benefitted. We can only blame the new rulers for the destruction in the region.

Catherine, Canterbury, ex South Africa

The reason why the UK would not support the TanZam railway and the buyout of land was lack on money. China built TanZam & the land remained a problem. But you also have to remember that 52% of the land changed hands after independence in 1980. Action taken early may have prevented the last 5 years.

john, Adelaide, Aus

If you think this is "an epitaph for an empire" you are seriously deluded. Empires grow out of needs, and as long as Africa needs the West, there will an Empire. We may refer not to call it that, but when there are boots on the ground and warships off-shore, an Empire is what you get.

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA

Mugabe is not England problem. The people of Zimbabwe must
stand on their own. Democracy is something a free people fight
for or maybe not. The maybe-not means you have a choice.
Their people must make that choice to be free.

John, Placentia, Republic of California

Politics in almost every Sub-Saharan African country is a tribal affair ... the people of the majority tribe rule whilst those of the minority tribes either put up or shut up ... if not then things turn very quickly into brutalism & even genocide as in Biafra, Rwanda, Darfur etc etc

R Rogers, Bedford, UK

It's true. So we should not bother reporting on Zimbabwe any more, because we are not going to do anything to help its people. It is simply another country which has found its own level, like so many others.

Paul Francis, Brisbane, Australia

The infrastructure of Zimbabwe, education levels of its population, and relative maturity of civil institutions mean that Zimbabwe has so much more potential than the other cases mentioned to be a leading light in the much-delayed African Renaissance. Forget Darfur, Congo and Somalia and sort Zim.

Ivan, Singapore,

Carrying on from previous...

there is no place for hand wringing and navel gazing when countless innocent people are needlessly suffering, be it in Zim, Congo, Darfur, Burma, Tibet or the many other countries worthy of attention.

Let's cut the finger pointing and start something constructive!

Dale, Australia,

There would be "ogres" like Mudgabe running African countries whether or not the continent had been colinized. Mugabes crimes cannot be blamed on the British people anymore than the crimes of Stalin and his imitatiors can be blamed on capitalism.

John Gaither, kuala lumpur, Malaysia

Right on!!!

Bruce Northwood, Washington, D.C. , USA

african democracy at it's best,why single out zimbabwe, they're all tarred with the same brush?
britain's responsibilty ended when the country achieved independance, end of story.

james, doncaster, uk

Good article!

Craig Morley, Chipping Norton, United Kingdom