Zimbabwe Election Reignites Argument
Posted: Friday, March 22, 2002

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa –– The re-election of another autocratic African leader in a vote dogged by accusations of rigging and violence has reignited an argument between Western and African leaders over democracy, colonialism and the continent's future.

President Robert Mugabe's purported victory in the first competitive presidential election in Zimbabwe's history was quickly welcomed by African leaders such as President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya and President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania.

"You have been firm defending the inalienable right of the people of your country to free, democratic and sovereign governance," Mkapa wrote Mugabe. "Your firmness was good for all of Africa." MORE 

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