Two-thirds of his people — more than seven million poor souls — are short of food because of his destructive land grabs. Young people as young as 11 are sent to camps to be beaten into submission so Mugabe’s wicked doctrine continues once he is dead. Girls are raped and tortured as rewards for Mugabe’s youth army. While Zimbabwe descends into the Dark Ages, much of the West wrings its hands but does nothing. The EU has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, but that doesn’t stop Mugabe’s wife from being a prized VIP shopper on the streets of Paris.

No European nation will be able to force its will on an African nation. The people of this troubled continent remember what they see as the bad days of white imperialism. In truth, Mugabe has done more harm to his fellow blacks than any white man ever did. But we don’t blame Africans for being wary of Europe. The one country that can turn the screw on Mugabe is South Africa. Everything that goes in and out of Zimbabwe goes through South Africa. It is time for that country to act on behalf of humanity. If Mugabe can be brought to his knees and his people set free from famine and oppression, then the United Nations will be able to send in massive aid. The world cannot stand and watch a nation destroyed by a dictator.