Invade Zimbabwe call

[riksavage]

ZIMBABWE'S leading cleric has called on Britain to invade the country and topple President Robert Mugabe.

I understand from reliable sources that the UK has contingency plans in place for such a move, but remains frustrated by the lack of support from South Africa, specifically there refusal to allow UK assets to stage from SA airbases.

If you were tasked to invade Zim, how would you do it without SA’s logistical support?

 

[Sansei442/100]

Good Question. That old fart Robert Mugabe really needs to go.

I'd start by offering neighbouring Mozambique free aid for an unspecified number of years and cancelling its debt to the UK in return for basing rights and the use of its territory to land troops.

The Zimbabwe (ridiculous name) Armed Forces should give up when they see the might of the RN and Royal Marines headed their way. The Zimbabwean SOF, N Korean trained 5th Brigade and Presidential Guard might offer resistance-although I highly doubt they have the stomach for a sustained engagement-especially with a Networked force backed by Carrier Support in the form of F-35B/Cs. Hopefully the Brits can get some ex Rhodesian SOF from the Bush War to give them a hand because the UK was responsible for putting that fag Mugabe in power anyway and the people of Rhodesia deserve better after 20+ years of tyranny.

 

[Izzy1]

I understand from reliable sources that the UK has contingency plans in place for such a move, but remains frustrated by the lack of support from South Africa, specifically there refusal to allow UK assets to stage from SA airbases.

We may have a contingency plan, but do we have the forces to do it given our exploits in Afghanistan and Iraq? I think not.

This is an African problem, thus why can't Africa sort it out? Instead of us laying ourself open to accusations of colonialism.

 

[swerve]

Good Question. That old fart Robert Mugabe really needs to go.

I'd start by offering neighbouring Mozambique free aid for an unspecified number of years and cancelling its debt to the UK in return for basing rights and the use of its territory to land troops.

The Zimbabwe (ridiculous name) Armed Forces should give up when they see the might of the RN and Royal Marines headed their way. The Zimbabwean SOF, N Korean trained 5th Brigade and Presidential Guard might offer resistance-although I highly doubt they have the stomach for a sustained engagement-especially with a Networked force backed by Carrier Support in the form of F-35B/Cs. Hopefully the Brits can get some ex Rhodesian SOF from the Bush War to give them a hand because the UK was responsible for putting that fag Mugabe in power anyway and the people of Rhodesia deserve better after 20+ years of tyranny.

There are a few problems with this scenario. For example, by the time we have F-35B in service (BTW, we aren't getting F-35C), Mugabe will probably have died of old age, & any ex-Rhodesian SOF will be getting on a bit. The youngest will be pushing 60, & those with much experience will all be over 60.

I think the plea is for something to happen rather sooner than that, preferably this decade.

There is one sound point, though, which is that any invasion could take place through Mozambique. Transport links are poorer than from South Africa, but distances from the nearest ports are less, & the land border is much longer.

Izzy is right about the forces (& the colonialism bit), though. We're over-committed at the moment. Naval support would be no problem, we have the combat aircraft, & we should be able to scrape up the ground forces for a quick operation (though they'd be desperately short of helicopters, which would be a major handicap), but we wouldn't be able to keep enough troops in place afterwards to give a good chance of a decent handover to the successor government. I'd rather not be part of a half-done job. Not wise to repeat the initial mistakes in Afghanistan & Iraq.

 

[StingrayOZ]

It would have to be an international force. No UK winging it and us style regime change.

UK could lead it. But South Africa would have to be a key participate. Australia, US, could also play leading roles, with europe also keen to fix problems in Africa no doubt a few might also sign up for this contriversal mission.

I think South Africa would be key to any Africa repair program. Africa needs a key player and it would be a huge step to see South Africa take the lead. In many ways its the key to fixing africa.

Realistically any fix africa program wouldn't start until most major commitments are over. I think realistically its 5 years away. By then Uk should have 1 CVF and its destroyers. Australia should be getting its first LHD. It should also have most of its bushmasters by then. While F-35B's are still atleast a few years after that, harriers would be fine for a mission like this as there wouldn't be any intense A2A action more ground support.

In 5 years things will be even worse in Zimbabwe.

The real question is who do you replace him with? Most of the opposition has been crushed and/or left. So building a real government would be very difficult.

Also South Africa seems to have very little interest in stepping in.

 

[Waylander]

The whole country is a mess.
1/3rd of the population fled the country since Mugabe took power and this year the inflation is at 1200% or so.

Rebuilding this country after a successfull military operation to remove Mugabe would be a huge task and one should not dream of letting the african countries doing this on their own.
If anybody thinks about intervening there he should also be aware that it will result in a veeerrryyy long commitment there.

 

[falcon2k7]

Mugabe's been a thorn in that part of the world for several years now, but he is a localized problem. The policies he has set forth are going to take years to undo and anyone that goes in is going to have to commit to a long timetable. If he began to threaten neighbors in the region, especially South Africa, then one may need to take heed.

But as things stand today, there is already action going on in two fronts, why open a third?

 

[jennery587]

Africa

Africa Is No Longer A Colony Of British Empire We Say No More, Africa Cant Take It Anymore, Now We Messing Iraq Next Zimbabwe Enough Is Enough

 

[Waylander]

Ähm, what?

I really don't get what you want to say?

 

[Jambo_100]

this is a difficult decision, britain gets envolved in enough wars as it is and none of them are anything to do with us. but in a way i think we should invade if it doesnt cost to much or pose to much of a threat to any of our men. to many are dying in afgan' and iraq.

 

[harryriedl]

i wouldn't even want to get involved but say gordy starts feeling like thatcher and he invades Zimbabwe you sail a carrier with harriers say 20 odd on Illustrious 800 RM ocean 450 on Albion or bulwark depends on which is available through in a an oiler a couple of escorts and a point class or 2 to land heavier equipment and FOOD.

chopper the force on ocean to the presidential place covered by apaches [they are qualified on ocean and the Invincible] take out the loyal forces to Mugabe then pass it on to the AU or the the UN to sort out the country a kind of Sierra Leone type op and then withdraw.

 

[swerve]

i wouldn't even want to get involved but say gordy starts feeling like thatcher and he invades Zimbabwe you sail a carrier with harriers say 20 odd on Illustrious 800 RM ocean 450 on Albion or bulwark depends on which is available through in a an oiler a couple of escorts and a point class or 2 to land heavier equipment and FOOD.

chopper the force on ocean to the presidential place covered by apaches [they are qualified on ocean and the Invincible] take out the loyal forces to Mugabe then pass it on to the AU or the the UN to sort out the country a kind of Sierra Leone type op and then withdraw.

Errr - it's 500 km from the coast to Harare, so it won't be that easy to chopper in enough troops for an operation that size, especially taking into account that Mugabe will know the fleet is coming, & is unlikely to cower in the most obvious spot. Sierra Leone is small & coastal, & we were propping up a government against crazy & chaotic rebels, not trying to overthrow one. Much easier.

 

[Nighthawknz]

topple President Robert Mugabe.

simply put sniper... one bullet... very cheap I hear

 

[Izzy1]

African problem...



My sincerest appologies.

As above, this is not a UK problem, we have enough 'comittments'. See further.

 

[scarecrow]

Mind their own business

i wud say UK shud mind their own business
they got enuf on their plates all rite from afghanistan to iraq.
why do they want to make enemies all the world round.They made the gulf and the arabic coutnriestheir enemies already so why do they want african coutnries to be their enemies
besides can they spare so many troops apart from thoserengaged in afghanistan and iraq?
do they hav money, what about budget?

this wont be easy

 

[Izzy1]

i wud say UK shud mind their own business

Perhaps when you learn how to spell and use capital letters, you can talk about adult stuff as well.

And please, don't give the excuse your from India.

 

[riksavage]

Easy option would be to insert a UK recce team of ethnic African origin, monitor Robert's movements then hit him hard with a submarine fired cruise missile. The current state of the economy coupled with the high levels of discontent amongst the armed forces would result in a rapid collapse of the current regime. Most of his cronies would then undertake a very rapid runner to the South of France complete with what's left in the Country's coffers!

The African Union under SA leadership could then send in a peace-keeping force until democratic elections are completed followed by a massive aid package funded by the UN/EU/US

Problem solved!

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

i wud say UK shud mind their own business

We are minding our own business - the call came from inside Zimbabwe.

All I can say is that it's up to Zimbabweans to sort themselves out. Africa wanted independence from the British Empire - they can't come running back to us as soon as they have a problem.

The problem in Zimbabwe is a job for the African Union. If they won't even criticise Mugabe and insist he step down for democratic reform to happen, why the hell should we get rid of him?

 

[scarecrow]

Perhaps when you learn how to spell and use capital letters, you can talk about adult stuff as well.

And please, don't give the excuse your from India.

" And please, don't give the excuse your from India "

I know how to spell and write english very well better than you.Its just that it is easy to type.

as for the above sentence...it should be..

" And please, don't give the excuse you are from India "

and not

" And please, don't give the excuse your from India "


pity that there are such dumb people here
Good night dude
to u and ur lowly post
and dont insult my country

 

[scarecrow]

We are minding our own business - the call came from inside Zimbabwe.

All I can say is that it's up to Zimbabweans to sort themselves out. Africa wanted independence from the British Empire - they can't come running back to us as soon as they have a problem.

The problem in Zimbabwe is a job for the African Union. If they won't even criticise Mugabe and insist he step down for democratic reform to happen, why the hell should we get rid of him?

hey man no offence i jus meant UK shud ignore such calls and concentrate on what will be better for her future!
no hard feelings i hope