Dear readers of South Africa Insight,
We are excited to share our latest newsletter, which includes an exclusive interview with Pierre Schori, former State Secretary for Foreign Affairs in Sweden. Schori is a well-known figure in Swedish politics and had a close friendship and working relationship with the late Olof Palme.
In the interview, Schori discusses the controversial issue of Sweden's support for Mugabe and the genocide committed against white farmers in Zimbabwe. Despite the outcome, Schori defends Sweden's decision to support Mugabe and laughs off the notion that Sweden has any responsibility for the outcome due to our support.
We were surprised by Schori's statements and wanted to share them with you as they raise important questions about Sweden's foreign policy and the responsibility of nations for their actions. To give you a taste of the interview, we have attached a short video clip.
The Swedish support to Mugabe played a mayor role and has been a controversial topic for many years. Olof Palmes cabinet secretary and later minister of foreign aid Pierre Schori was a vivid supporter of Mugabe.
Schori's friendship and close collaboration with Palme was one of the defining features of his political career. Together, they worked to advance Sweden's international standing, championing “human rights” and “progressive values”. Schori was also a close confidante and advisor to Palme, and played an instrumental role in shaping Swedish foreign policy during a critical time in the country's history.
The Swedish Social Democratic Party that Palme and Schori represented was a member of the Socialist International, along with Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party.
At the time, Mugabe was a leading figure in the Zimbabwean liberation movement and the African National Union, fighting against the apartheid regime in neighboring South Africa. Sweden, along with many other countries and organizations, saw Mugabe as a champion of anti-colonialism and supported his efforts to establish a government in Zimbabwe.
Based on their shared commitment to socialism, Sweden aligned with first communist China and later the Soviet Union in supporting Mugabe's efforts.
With friends like that it is no surprise that with the benefit of hindsight, that Mugabe's rule led to widespread human rights abuses, including the displacement and persecution of white farmers, the suppression of political opposition, and the devastation of Zimbabwe's economy.
We've included a short video clip from our previous documentary "The Swedish Support to the Anti-Apartheid Movement" to give you a glimpse into the interview with Schori. You can see the full documentary here.
Schori's legacy continues to be felt in Sweden and beyond, and his work in the field of international relations and diplomacy has left an indelible mark on the country's political landscape.
The Swedish Social Democratic Party, of which Schori is a member, is still a strong supporter of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa. However, the ANC's current plans to implement a similar farm reform to Mugabe's in Zimbabwe have raised concerns among some, particularly given the devastating consequences of that policy. This connection to Schori's past support for Mugabe highlights the ongoing relevance of his political legacy and its impact on current political debates.
Pierre Schori's defense of Sweden's support for Mugabe, even in the face of genocide committed against white farmers, is a controversial and thought-provoking statement that challenges our assumptions about the role of international diplomacy and human rights.
We hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter and stay tuned for more exciting content in the future.
Until next time,
Jonas Nilsson
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