Caribbean countries have a deep moral and emotional stake in Zimbabwe, where, as is increasingly apparent, the aged president, Robert Mugabe, has grown so seriously delusional to be dangerous not only to his own people, but a threat to the security of Zimbabwe's southern African neighbours.

This last week, with many thousands of Zimbabweans suffering from cholera and approximately 800 having died from the disease, Mr Mugabe declared the epidemic over, even as domestic and international experts deemed it to be still raging. Millions of Zimbabweans have taken flight to neighbouring states, particularly to South Africa, where, only months ago, widespread violence had broken out against Zimbabwean refugees, who poor South Africans felt were poaching limited resources. There is a danger that such tensions could boil again not only in South Africa, but in countries like Zambia, Botswana and even Mozambique should the exodus worsen.

Symptom of ruin

We made the point previously that Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic is not merely a public-health issue, but one symptom of the ruin that Mr Mugabe has wrought upon Zimbabwe, which he has grown to view as private real estate and his personal fiefdom, rather than a functioning democracy. So, for several years now, Mr Mugabe has fought off legitimate political challenges to his leadership by the physical bludgeoning of opponents and the rigging of elections. The upshot: a loss of confidence and the collapse of the economy, which have translated into mass hunger and a crumbling infrastructure, of which cholera is one consequence.

It is a shame to witness a leader, once held in such high esteem, to have grown so callously unhinged, for as Caribbean Community (CARICOM) foreign ministers reminded in a statement in May, community states were at the "forefront of the international campaign against apartheid and colonialism in Southern Africa" in the second half of the century just past. Indeed, Jamaica's then Prime Minister Michael Manley played a key role in the negotiations at the 1979 Commonwealth Summit that finally ended white minority rule in what is now Zimbabwe and independence the following year.

In the region where the majority of its citizens are of the African diaspora, the Caribbean's emotional investment is understandable, and Mr Mugabe's betrayal of a commitment to human rights, political pluralism and democracy bites deep. In the circumstances, we believe that it is time for CARICOM to impose, even if it will be mostly symbolic, sanctions against Mr Mugabe. Jamaica, which has responsibility within CARICOM for external relations, should begin the process.

First, Prime Minister Golding should, very publicly, withdraw the honorary Order of Jamaica awarded in 1996 to Mr Mugabe for his fight against apartheid and, paradoxically, "his distinct leadership in the pursuit of freedom and human development throughout Africa".

After last summer's rigged elections in Zimbabwe, CARICOM leaders declared the ballot as "totally devoid of legitimacy" and called on Mr Mugabe to work with the African Union and South African neighbours for a negotiated outcome to the flawed process to avoid a deepening of the crisis. Mr Mugabe has toyed with everyone.

Mr Golding must suggest to his CARICOM colleagues that the region suspends diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe and warn Mr Mugabe that the community may deem his behaviour as a crime against humanity. If CARICOM dithers, Jamaica should go it alone.

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