OUT OF AFRICA there is always something bad. Sub-Saharan Africa is a stain on the advanced world’s conscience. Even those of us who scorn the masochism and hatred of their own societies, which leads many liberals to blame the West for all of Africa’s problems, must find it unacceptable that so many people live brief and wretched lives: are denied any share in the generous possibilities of the human condition.

Africa is also in fashion. Politicians are talking about it, especially when they are fighting general elections, or Labour leadership ones. Yet it is right that Africa is now on the agenda, even if it arrived there by dubious means.

The West must help, but we cannot solve all of Africa’s problems. There must also be efforts by Africans. No aid programme could work without local cooperation and it needs a moral co-operation as well as a practical one.

Which brings us to the imminent Zimbabwean elections. Though this will not be the first time that a regime has stolen an election, there has never been a more blatant act of theft. Yet Thabo Mbeki, the President of South Africa, has said that the elections will be free and fair.

In any fair election, Robert Mugabe would be blown away. The Movement for Democratic Change and its brave leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, would win an overwhelming victory. Mugabe knows that, which is why the elections will be run by the army with members of his own militia — the so-called national youth service — at the polling stations to “assist” voters.

There will be widespread intimidation and brutality. If that does not work, the ballot boxes will be stuffed. Those who count the notes are under Mugabe’s control. They will know what to do. It will be a monstrous perversion of freedom, law, democracy and hope. Yet where are the protests from other African countries?

Mr Mbeki seems to speak for all his fellow sub-Saharan leaders. Their argument appears to be that, as Mugabe helped to free his country, he should now be allowed to wreck it. Thus millions of people are condemned to suffering; a country which should be rich is condemned to poverty.

If Africa cannot get Zimbabwe right, how can we trust it to get anything right? African leaders must realise that failure to denounce Mugabe is bringing discredit on them, their countries and their continent.