The New Nation - Internet Edition

At his inauguration in Harare on Sunday for another six-year term, Robert Mugabe reportedly looked somewhat subdued. But more subdued were his own people who know Mugabe won a farcical election after intimidating the opposition into withdrawing from the race.

BBC reported, according to the opposition, almost 90 of its supporters had been killed in the run-up to the Friday vote, with hundreds more missing - believed dead. It says 2,000 were jailed, 10,000 injured and 200,000 displaced.

Opposition leader Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the presidential run-off on 22 June, saying he could not ask supporters to cast ballots "when that vote would cost them their lives". But his name remained on the ballot. Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans dared to place a cross by his name, knowing that retribution could follow. A significant number of others spoiled their ballots in protest at being forced to vote.

Independent observer teams have been quoted as declaring that the elections had not been free and fair. One mission, from the Pan-African Parliament, called for a new vote when conditions were "conducive" to a credible poll. One of the monitors has been quoted to have said that he had spoken to voters from a squatter camp who had told him they were voting because they had been threatened that their homes would be burned down if they did not.

Robert Mugabe had defied the will of the international community by pressing ahead with the vote. But he knows he is facing growing international opposition, stricter sanctions, and even calls for armed peacekeepers to be sent to Zimbabwe. "I think," said Archbishop Desmond Tutu, "that a very good argument can be made for having an international force to restore peace."

The Americans have said they will press for UN action against Zimbabwe, including an arms embargo. "It makes sense to deny the government of Zimbabwe the means to conduct violence against its own people," the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice has been quoted as saying.

British Prime Minister told the summit of the African Union in Egypt Sunday "I hope that the African Union and its leaders will make it absolutely clear to Mr Mugabe that there has to be democracy, that there has to be change and a new government has got to be brought in," the Prime Minister said. "The so-called elections will not be recognised," he added. Robert Mugabe is attending the meet.

In power since 1980, Robert Mugabe once was hailed as a symbol of the new Africa, but now he has emerged as world's worst dictator. Under his rule the health and well-being of his people have dropped dramatically, which is as much an abuse of human rights as arbitrary arrest and torture. He last allowed an election in 2002 but "won" only after having his leading opponent arrested for treason.

Thus, by all descriptions, Robert Mugabe and his government have lost legitimacy and do not any more represent the people of Zimbabwe.

As the worst violator of human rights and being a downright killer, Mugabe must be forced to go. If the West tolerates Mugabe it will have no moral justification to moralising about violation of human rights anywhere. The West should appreciate that an oppressor like Mugabe cannot voluntarily give up power. He will continue to kill people to keep himself alive. People of Zimbabwe need to be saved.