Mugabe Welcome at African Union Summit

I do not advocate the United States taking part in any sort of military intervention in Zimbabwe because that impoverished African nation holds no American national interest. This cannot be said, however, of many other countries in Africa that have had to deal with the spillover of refugees, crime and general unrest that were the result of Robert Mugabe's vicious campaign for reelection.

So, how are most of Africa's leaders reacting now that Mugabe has completed his successful campaign?

From the Times Online:

A defiant Robert Mugabe sailed unchallenged through the first test of his presidency by his peers.

Freshly sworn-in following a single-candidate election, he received a leader’s welcome when he strode into the African Union summit in Sharm el-Sheikh today and emerged unfazed, his authority intact.

He dined at a lavish luncheon given by his Egyptian hosts, hugged heads of state and other diplomats in the corridors and stayed at one of the most luxurious resorts in this Red Sea town.

Delegates from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) lodged at the Sheraton, while their leader Morgan Tsvangirai remained holed up in Zimbabwe.

The African Union’s public response to Mr Mugabe’s seizure of power was seen as a key measure of the organisation’s commitment to democracy in the wake of Zimbabwe’s violent run-off elections.

The only countries that possess legitimate national interests in leaning on the socialist Mugabe are perhaps a bit more interested in partaking of a lavish spread of seafood and spirits.

Nothing ruins a good dinner party faster than the awkward embarrassment of questioning a revered guest about all the slaughtered innocents he is responsible for.

h/t Little Green Footballs