Defending his controversial land reform programme, Mr Mugabe said, "Blair keep your England, and let me keep my Zimbabwe."

Mr Blair was not present for the Zimbabwe leader's speech, but was for an equally scathing attack from Namibia's President Sam Nujoma.

Mr Nujoma said: "We here in southern Africa have one big problem, created by the British.

"The honourable Tony Blair is here, and he created the situation in Zimbabwe."

Speaking on a visit to the nearby deprived township of Alexandra, Mr Blair said the Namibian leader held a "minority view".

"The vast majority of African leaders fully support the principles of good governance we stand for," Mr Blair said.

Do you think the African leaders may have a point? Does Britain have a case to answer, for its colonisation of Africa? Tell us what you think.

This Talking Point is now closed.

Your reaction

The longer all this bickering goes on, the longer the suffering of Africa's people will continue

John, San Antonio, USA

The longer all this bickering about the past goes on without any focus on the future, the longer the suffering of Africa's people will continue. All the finger pointing in the world won't change the fact that people are living and dying in horrible conditions right now in Africa.
John, San Antonio, USA

The problem in Zimbabwe is a tragedy created by colonialism. The white Zimbabweans should move to the cities and receive compensation for the buildings they put up in the rural areas.
J.M.J. Nyamai, Uganda

I'd say if anyone is to blame for Africa's problems, it's Africa

Ryan Corcoran, Austin, TX, USA

Well, now that Mugabe has kicked the whites off their land, his people are even worse off than before. I'd say if anyone is to blame for Africa's problems, it's Africa.
Ryan Corcoran, Austin, TX, USA

I am disgusted with the left-wing rhetoric of African leaders. Europe colonised Africa 400 years ago. Africa is in trouble because they cannot manage their own continent. Instead they hold out a begging bowl to the west in one hand, while punishing the remaining white Africans and brutally suppressing their own people with the other.
Richard Murray, UK

Yes it's a widely known historical fact that Africa was a paradise before Europeans arrived. They had no wars, plenty of clean drinking water, no disease, they didn't own slaves, and they never killed each other.
Eric, US

The current problems of Africa are due to Africans

Bill, USA

The current problems of Africa are due to Africans but it is much easier to blame others than to take a good look in the mirror. The self-interest of early colonialists seems quite innocent when compared to the personal greed of today's dictators.
Bill, USA

An analysis of historical maps of Africa both before and after colonial rule will reveal that the colonial state boundaries bear absolutely no resemblance to the language, cultural and tribal areas. It was a case of carve-up and plunder. Colonialists destroyed the deep and sensitive culture of Africa which was ecologically balanced. Africa is now trying to put itself back in cultural order; but the methods are crude just like the colonialists. Africans should be encouraged to re-establish their cultural roots.
James, UK

Those who blame Africa's problems on Colonialism would do well to remember that the experience was not unique to Africa. Generally, the Asian countries that also experienced colonialism are doing fairly well. So what has Africa, or to be more precise, its leaders, been doing for the past 40 years? Stop blaming the whites and take a long, hard look at yourselves!
Farah, Malaysian

Isn't it funny that everywhere the English went racism followed? After reading all of the comments here, there seems to be a large number of U.K. citizens that are angry about the African finger pointing. Could it be that their bold talk comes from guilt?
Throckmorton, U.K..

Of course colonialism is to blame

David D, Republic of Ireland

Of course colonialism is to blame. Africa did not suffer like it does today before the British, Belgians, French et al arrived. Isn't it funny that it is the Africans (who were exploited for 100s of years and still are!) that pay millions every week to Western banks and governments when it us that should be paying compensation to them.
David D, Republic of Ireland

Why is it that former European colonies in Asia and the Americas are by and large far more successful than those in Africa? Also to attack Europeans as evil colonialists is to ignore the fact that Empire Building is endemic to ALL mankind. Black Africans were colonising each other before the Europeans arrived (Ashanti, Zulu etc) and were quite happy to sell their fellow blacks into Slavery for profit.
J.Crewe, Europe

It is a pity that we should be holding such contempt towards the British. What happened in the past should not be our daily bread today. I think it is poor policy making which has brought chaos in the lovely country of Zimbabwe. Chasing white Zimbabweans does not solve any problem but propounds the already existing ones. Black Zimbabweans have occupied the fertile land but people are going hungry. If this political and racial madness goes unchecked, the economies of the whole region will go down the drain.
Raymond, Botswana

The winds of change are still blowing in Africa

Alan, Poland

I left Zimbabwe in 1969 as I saw the writing on the wall then. You may not like what Mugabe says and does but it is his country and he democratically elected with a much larger majority than the president of the USA who can do it seems just what he likes. The winds of change are still blowing in Africa and nothing that Blair can do will change it, they have suffered enough at the hands of white rule.
Alan, Poland

Of course we're to blame - we enslaved and forcibly repatriated millions, forced the Africans to follow our way of life and religion and when the going got tough we ran away and left them to it. And they're supposed to undo four hundred years of oppression in 20 years. So what if a few white farmers lose their farms? Africans have been dying in their millions from starvation and disease while we sit by and do nothing except criticise.
Simon, UK

I agree colonialism brought a lot of problems to southern Africa, and that land reform from the majority of whites should be given to the black minority. However, nothing justifies mob violence, murder, and force mobilization. Land reform should be done in a civilized way.
Huayna Capac, Peru

The British have a case to answer. The used us as slaves and now they would not leave us alone. Our diamonds, gold and all are in their hands. Even our peace is in their hands. If I want to fight a war in Africa, all I have to do is contact Tony Blair, promise him the biggest diamond I will get from my country and he will send me arms. Not just arms, but also some mad-cow meat to feed the poor displaced people. Britain has a case to answer
Albert Jones, Nigeria

Colonialism had positive and negative points and it is easy to blame "The Whites" but people are in control of their own destiny. Colonialism is just a name for a series of wars and occupations where the victors took the spoils. When will we here African rulers apologising to each other for the slave trade and for their current plundering in neighbouring countries?
Jonathan, Germany

It has always been easier to blame others for problems that you are responsible for, especially when those others are doing everything they can to help you!
Eric , USA

Perhaps the Western nations exploited Africa, but they also brought technology, roads, medicine etc

Mark, South Africa

As a descendant of European stock living in south Africa, I regard myself as an African. I strongly reject a few white farmers owning a large percentage of a country , but at the same time I reject land redistribution that takes place outside of the Law. Perhaps the Western nations exploited Africa, but they also brought technology, roads, medicine etc. It's time for Africans, irrespective of colour or religion, to take our rightful place in the World environment. However we cannot blame the past for our future mistakes. Mugabe is a military dictator who maintains power through force and fear. His time has come to pass, the sooner he steps down the better for southern Africa.
Mark, South Africa

Yes Colonialists are to blame for the problems in Africa, Eastern Europe, America, Canada, South America,the Indian subcontinent, Australia, New Zealand, China etc. In fact the whole globe from "Hunter Gatherer" period to today. It is and will always be human nature, no one is innocent of colonialism or some form of colonialism.
Greg, UK

The British landed in Africa with evil and brutal methods. They have never even felt sorry for the crimes they committed. The western ideas on democracy and human rights are nothing but manipulations and lies. The so-called western investment is a diluting tool to Africa's quest for freedom. That's why NEPAD should be thrown out of the window. Where is equality when 4000 whites control almost the whole of fertile Zimbabwe? Can any rational person justify this unless it's through blindness and prejudice? The whole of Africa is waking up and none is going to tolerate this nonsense. This is the beginning of the end of colonialism and imperialism. God bless Africa.
JK, Kenya

Britain has a lot to answer for in its colonial past

Bennet, U.S.A

I'm glad that comments here acknowledge colonialism as a huge factor in Africa's present problems. Britain has a lot to answer for in its colonial past. Here we have a handful of white farmers (British origin) occupying and owning 70% percent of arable land and it is causing uproar. Britain justified the starvation of over 3million eastern Nigerians (black Africans) during 1967-70 Nigeria Biafra war, because it couldn't control it's greed for the oil in eastern Nigeria.
Bennet, U.S.A

You have to be ignorant not to see the involvement of the west in countries in Africa. 4000 whites cannot have the best land in Zimbabwe! They should go back home and leave us alone. Millions are dying in DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, the Sudan, Liberia etc, thanks to England, France and Belgium.
African, DRC

To African, DRC, I think you failed to mention that fact that the England (UK) was recently in Sierra Leone to help end yet another African conflict (unless of course you think that it is a right of Africans to go around slaughtering each other and how dare the Europeans interfere with such a fundamental right?). And, of course wasn't it Zimbabwe (NOT England) that has spent the last few years fighting a war in your country?
Tracy White, UK/Italy

It seems rather odd that he continues to blame other people for the country's problems

Joe, USA

Britain has not been in control of Zimbabwe for over thirty years. Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for over twenty years. It seems rather odd that he continues to blame other people for the country's problems. There comes a time in all of our lives when we must accept the consequences of our own actions.
Joe, USA

Of course the West and especially the UK needs to answer for all the human rights violations that characterized colonialism. There is no discontinuity from colonialism as we in Africa still have the racist imperial legality that is the UK's legacy. The narrative monopoly the West enjoys should be replaced with dialogue involving all concerned.
Arthur Nanthuru, UK

I think that Britain and other countries, like Belgium have a case to answer for. But ridiculous statements like "he [Tony Blair] created the situation in Zimbabwe" aren't very helpful. From what I have read, white farmers in Zimbabwe and the British government agree that there should be land reform in places like Zimbabwe, but the point is that it should be done in a legal and orderly manner. Mugabe's current methods are not worthy of a responsible leader who wants to help his people.
Alan, USA

Mugabe sounds like colonialism ended just yesterday. How many decades have they been independent? How much money has been poured into all Africa over the past 50 years by the West (UK & USA) only to have it disappear into corrupt officials pockets? Let them have "their country" without ANY support from the UK/USA, who will they blame their problems on then?
LEH, USA

Leaders have given their people wars, famine and gross corruption

Jacob Sax Conteh, US

As an African, I am sick to my stomach that anytime an African dictator is confronted with their menace, they play the colonialism card. Most African countries have had their independence for more than three decades now, and all their leaders have given their people are wars, famine and gross corruption. While Britian and other European countries did us wrong by colonizing us, it is time we face reality and put an end to people like Robert Mugabe, who is using the land reforms to hide his gross violation of human rights.
Jacob Sax Conteh, US

Yes, we African's have the right to say what we feel like. Who have you seen coming to your land to make it his colony? Do you know the value of wealth you have taken in Africa, remember your time to rule in Africa is over.
Nambinga. Namibia

Corruption by Marxist leaders has ruined more African States than Colonial powers, which confirms Lord Acton's adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Roger Pasmore, UK

If he dislikes us so intensely, why has he been so happy to take our aid cheques

Simon A, UK

Presumably Mugabe's hatred of Britain is not something that has suddenly concreted over the last two years. If he dislikes us so intensely, why has he been so happy to take our aid cheques for the last twenty years?
Simon A, UK

I don't support Mugabe wholeheartedly. However, I believe the land issue is a serious problem. Britain has been using both its economical and political power to suppress it for a long time.
Akin, Holland

After 20 to 40+ years of independence why have the ex-colony rulers not been able to overcome "the legacy of colonization"? Some have had 20 years uninterrupted power to do so.
Larry, Canada

The British are to blame for the problems in Zimbabwe

Lesego, Botswana

The British are to blame for the problems in Zimbabwe and they should be ashamed. It is only fair that the black people of Zimbabwe be given the opportunity to own land. This can only be achieved if whites would relinquish some of the land they own. Many white farmers in Zimbabwe own more than one farm. During the apartheid regime in Zimbabwe, whites were given the majority of the prime farming land while blacks were denied the opportunity to own land. blacks were also denied their basic human rights, which is why they fought to remove the colonialists.
Lesego, Botswana

Europe is perceived as having deep pockets, and that is the real reason for these attacks. Africa is trying to make Europeans feel embarrassed and ashamed enough to fill the begging bowl which is being proferred for the umpteenth time. It is deeply depressing and is not going to change any time soon.
Gerard, UK

Tribal politics may work on a small scale but not on a global one

Victor D, Amsterdam,

Tribal politics may work on a small scale but not on a global one. If more African leaders would see themselves as modern administrators rather than medieval kings, they would be able to manage their considerable resources better. People will only love you if you do well by them.
Victor D, Amsterdam,

Many African were colonised by Europeans, to my view this people can't deliver without the help of western countries, Mugabe is wrong.
Daniel West, Kenya

The UK should apologise for past mistakes

Name Here

I think the UK and the other countries who took part colonisation should apologise for past mistakes and not behave as if it didn't happen.
Gizaw, UK

Just who does Mugabe think he is kidding? From taking over a country that was a NET EXPORTER of food he now needs international food aid. Get real or get out.
Richard Alexander, Zimbabwe

Mugabe is a dictator. By rigging himself into office and suppressing the will of the people he is not better off than the colonial settlers themselves. He has no moral basis to put forth any argument concerning Zimbabwe. Although Britain bears large blame for the colonization of the country, Mugabe's failings as a president deny him the right to present Zimbabwe's case before the world.
George Mutua, Kenya

Didn't they get independence in 1980?

Kye, England

Mugabe is blaming England for their colonial power. Really? Didn't they get independence in 1980? Twenty two years, right?
Kye, England

Zimbabwe will eventually become like Somalia. The country is on a downward spiral and there is nothing on the horizon to stop it.
Johannes, South Africa

I feel that Mugabe is doing his country a disservice by his land reforms which are not based on reality. However, the European Union is going to hurt the Zimbabwean people more than hurting Mugabe by applying sanctions which always hit the poor the hardest.
Arbibi Ashoy, Malaysia

Before Mugabe and other African dictators open their mouths about white colonial rule perhaps they should open details of their Swiss bank accounts for us to view.
Jack de Metz, UK

Mugabe: "Blair keep your England, and let me keep my Zimbabwe." Maybe someone should tell him it's not HIS Zimbabwe.
G. Harding, UK

If Zimbabwe wants us to stay out, let's leave the problem alone

Name Here

The past is gone, we should be looking to today's problem and to the future. If Zimbabwe wants us to stay out, by all means let's leave the problem alone - but don't come back whingeing when you have thousands of innocent people starving.
Julian, UK

How typical that this debate (like many of the others) has consisted of pathetic attacks over who is to blame for creating the situation. I thought the whole point of the summit was to find ways to rectify situations by working together and reaching compromises, not to score points and further aggravate international relations.
Natalie, UK

African leaders do have a point to make although they are not always correct. Britain especially really needs to assist its former colonies to come out of poverty, through a sincere policy of debt relief and giving support to good governments.
Tubosun, Nigeria

The right of a people to determine their own lives and the future of their country has become one of the most fundamental rights in the post-colonial world. However, a corrupt dictatorship such as that in Zimbabwe denies its people that right every bit as much as any colonial overlord.
Tom, UK

Britain has a case to answer for colonialism

Funmi, Nigeria

Of course Britain has a case to answer for colonialism as do the French, the Portuguese and every other state that engaged in this practice. The point however is that Zimbabwe is no longer ruled by Britain. Whilst Mr Mugabe continues with talk of colonialism and continues to criticise Blair, his people are starving, suffering from unemployment and his country from high inflation. Mugabe seeks to distract both his people and Africans from these, which are the real issues.
Funmi, Nigeria

If Mugabe wants credit for delivering an independent Zimbabwe, he can also have criticism for delivering a starving Zimbabwe.
Dougal McKinnon, UK

I agree with Mike wholeheartedly. Why do we keep interfering in Africa? They've made it clear that they don't want us - they want independence. All this talk of giving them yet more aid and the constant hand-wringing over colonisation just allows them to avoid taking responsibility for their own actions. It is also deeply patronising to them when the likes of Tony Blair pontificate about 'saving Africa'.
Laura, UK

Many African nations were colonised by Europeans during the exploration period, and many feel as though they've been stripped of their assets of land and resources. What Mugabe is doing may be unjust and crazy, but it's not far removed from what white people did when they claimed the land for themselves in the first place. It's about time some African countries stood on their own feet anyway without the intervention of the west.
Brian, UK

I just wonder if the West would have reacted if the farmers were not white...
Manos, UK

It will take rather more than the complaints of Africa's obscenely wealthy demagogues to create a viable economic and social infrastructure on that continent.

NK, UK

It's time Africa took responsibility for itself and stopped trying to guilt-trip the West into accepting responsibility for all that continent's problems. Throughout history there have been empires - some of them African. They have always left great damage in their wake, but such damage is overcome through hard work and rebuilding. Constantly looking back in history in order to blame one's troubles on someone else is a non-starter. It will take rather more than the complaints of Africa's obscenely wealthy demagogues to create a viable economic and social infrastructure on that continent. It will take work and vision. They should shut up and get on with it.
NK, UK

It certainly deflects from their own shortcomings. And we know that rousing feelings of racial hatred can be useful for any despotic leader. If these comments were made at a different time and place and by someone other Mugabe then they could be discussed rationally. I think it is quite obvious that Britain (in particular the ruling and military classes of Britain) have a case to answer for our colonial past, but I don't think this is either an intelligent or mature way to go about it.
Chris C, UK

I don't know what the problem is here. Let's simply pull the farmers out and then leave them to themselves. That's what they want according to Mugabe. When they start dying of starvation, we can leave them to themselves as well.
Mike, England

Mugabe is not a likeable character. He may not be as good PR spin as the American Government or Tony. The only reason why Mugabe is an issue is because he is not of European origin. If it was George W Bush or Tony Blair justifying the killing of thousands, it would not have been such a big issue.
STEVEN, UK