I REFER to "On rape's front line" (November 20) on the rape of women in Zaire.It is ironic that the much-despised Americans are the saviours of those women. How they were allowed to establish a court in Africa to deal with rapists is a miracle.What is, however, really ironic, is the deafening silence of the African Union on the issue of the plight of women in the affected area.

 The AU was more concerned about the fate of a despicable dictator in Libya. Even Thabo Mbeki, former president and freedom fighter for democracy, wailed about the involvement of Western powers in Libya, telling them "hands off Libya". If the AU was involved in Libya, Gaddafi would most probably still be in power, like Mugabe in Zimbabwe.I respect Barack Obama for standing his ground against the African version of democracy and demonstrating real respect for human rights by intervening and protecting defenceless women whose own government apparently doesn't give a hoot.