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Marxist dictator Robert Mugabe's "threat" to pull Zimbabwe out of the Commonwealth if he isn't accepted at the summit in Nigeria underlines the problem with both the Commonwealth and Africa. First, Zimbabwe should have been kicked out of the Commonwealth - okay, suspended - long ago, and would have been had not Jean Chretien insisted Mugabe get another chance to prove he was a misunderstood democrat at heart. (Though to his credit, Chretien argued at yesterday's Commonwealth summit in Nigeria that the suspension must continue.) Mugabe was re-elected in as fraudulent an election as has been seen in Africa -...

Commonwealth leaders start their summit in the Nigerian city of Abuja on Friday, with arguments over Zimbabwe's suspensions likely to dominate talks. Fifty-two countries are at the conference, which will be opened by Queen Elizabeth II. Zimbabwe is barred after alleged election abuses by President Robert Mugabe's regime. But Secretary General Don McKinnon said there was a "will... to move on from this issue". He said the agenda would cover ways of reviving world trade talks, a plan of action on terrorism and the promotion of democracy and development. Canada has signalled it is to push for a compromise over...

Blair mauls Mugabe as Commonwealth faces black-white split By Anton La Guardia in Abuja (Filed: 05/12/2003) Tony Blair last night vowed to resist attempts to end Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth and accused African leaders seeking to rehabilitate President Robert Mugabe of "defending the indefensible".President Mugabe,/i> As he set off for the Commonwealth summit, which opens today in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, Mr Blair all but put Mr Mugabe in the same category as Saddam Hussein."I would like to see all regimes that oppress their people change," he said. "But you have to accept the limitations of what you...

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe has labelled Australia a member of an "Anglo-Saxon unholy alliance" as he tries to fuel a black-white divide at this week's CHOGM summit and stymie efforts led by Canberra for the Harare regime to remain suspended from the Commonwealth for another year. Mr Mugabe's comments in an address to his nation came amid an extraordinary security crackdown in Abuja, the modern, purpose-built capital of Nigeria that will host the Queen and 53 leaders from around the world at the Commonwealth Heads Of Government meeting. About 150,000 extra police have been called in and the British...