Some are really missing or trying to obfuscate key points in their efforts to demonize Mugabe. The White owned propaganda media in and out of Zimbabwe were not highlighting the issues they are mentioning now, before the land reclamation exercise. You also cannot find one article in their archives that was in support of Africans promptly reclaiming the lands that were stolen.

Their attempt to demonize Mugabe is directly tied to him joining with those who felt the land should be promptly reclaimed. Even if Mugabe joined that exercise for political motives, the fact remains that the White media's effort to demonize him is about that one issue. Land!

Reclaiming stolen lands is important to all Africans in the Diaspora, and it is for that reason Mugabe receives widespread African support in the face of the European/ U.S. media attempts to demonize him.

I am sure if I wanted, I can highlight many wrongs Mugabe did. I feel I can safely do the same for any African leader, including Haile Selassie. The same way I don't support attempts to demonize Selassie, I don't support attempts to demonize Mugabe as well as others whose moves served the interest of Africans inside and outside the continent of Africa.

It is quite understandable that the colonial land divisions which were forced on African people, left many unable to address ethnic issues, and in many cases leaders oppressed other minority groups. No one is supporting this. It should be highlighted in context, and be placed on the table for redress. The San people have been particularly marginalized in the Zimbabwean landscape. These issues should be addressed by pro-African bodies, and not by pandering to European interests or fueling/spreading their demonizing propaganda.

Local Zimbabwe concerns cannot be more important than issues that affect all Africans in and out of the continent when dealing with an international audience. It is in our interest that other African leaders reclaim lands that were stolen (although there are many other issues to thrash out).

On another note:

If one wants to argue that because they resided in Zimbabwe or are a national there, that on that basis alone they are automatically more informed on what is taking place there, then that is bogus. Americans can make that claim also, and as you should know, they are busy on the Internet learning more about America through their country's conduct with other nations, and also from non-Americans. If one is arguing that because they are from Zimbabwe, and/or because they speak one of the many African languages, on that basis alone they are an authority on Africa, then that can easily be proven to be bogus. John Kerry's wife speaks 5 languages including an African language, and I doubt we will call her an authority on Africa or anything. The same holds true for many uninformed Africans. There are many ways to show how bogus those ideas are. They are false badges of superiority.

Africans who reside outside of the continent as a result of slavery, have a historical and present claim to Africa. To claim that because one resided there means they are more African is also bogus. Many reside in Africa and are very anti-African development after falling in love with western/white trinkets.

To understand Africa in the context of present world dynamics means to have a good awareness of the European/American political and sociological mindset. Those who have lived through the western system under White dominance, are informed on the issues, and who reclaim Africa as a result of living with the day-to-day anti-African attitudes, would be aware of subtleties in the Western system that is important to understanding Africa in today's world landscape. This awareness based on a longer direct relationship with European control is usually undervalued by Africans who recently left the continent after facing hardship. Many are naive when entering the US or Europe. They are usually willing to take Whites at face value until they experience direct suffering from their control. While many are novices, they are usually anti-African in their conduct, favoring the new found short-term opportunities in the west.

Being a national has its benefits in terms of getting the subtle nuances of your region, but it cannot on its own make anyone an authority on all of Africa. Everyone will have to do their research, and compare research to get the best understanding of Africa.

No one is born automatically conscious of African issues. They have to learn about them, and if the conditions in your African country are not favorable for learning, then you are at a disadvantage. For this reason many Africans leave the West to return to Africa to teach (although some are down right arrogant in relation to what they think they have a better understanding of).

On the subject of African entitlements, just remember the Africans who were forcibly removed from the continent have a right of return, and a claim to lands etc. They also have a right to receive compensation from all sides that profited from Slavery.