Let Mugabe go to Lisbon

It is now pointless to waste time and energy critisizing or fighting against the Portuguese authorities for inviting Mugabe to Lisbon. Mugabe's participation in the EU-African summit will certainly be a non-event since it will not make any meaningful difference to the severe hardships that Zimbabweans of all walks of life face at home and abroad.

Mugabe must be accorded the opportunity to continue to make a fool of himself on the international stage. He must be allowed to display his folly right in front of fellow African leaders so that they may become more aware of his obsession with hate politics, racism and dictatorial inclinations. May the summit provide Mugabe with the opportunity to once again display his lack of statesmanship.