Zimbabwe Fights Back

The United Nations voted Monday to declare free elections in Zimbabwe under the current regime of dictator Robert Mugabe not possible. A run off election is scheduled for June 27th. Mogan Tsvangari, the opposition political leader who many observers say won the general election outright, took refuge in the Dutch Embassy in Harare after receiving death threats from Mugabe's operatives in his Zanu-PF party. The opposition says Mugabe and his thugs are responsible for at least eighty deaths during election campaigning. Zanu PF mobs are forcing fellow citizens into what they term 're-education' camps [photo]. Tsvangari withdrew from the run off, citing the violence against his supporters, but Zimbabwe's justice minister says his withdrawal was too late and that the run off election would proceed.

International condemnation of the aging Mugabe maybe be reason for hope. According to the London Times there are talks between South Africa's president Thabo Mbeki and Mugabe with a view to establishing a national unity government. Mbeki has his own reason for mediating since thousands of Zimbabweans are immigrating illegally to South Africa. If Zimbabwe totally collapses economically, the refugee problem will become much worse. Mbeki is also mediator for the fourteen nation South African Development Community. Several member countries have joined in censoring the once admired Mugabe who heroically lead his countrymen out of colonial rule and apartheid. Up until this point Mbeki has been loath to apply full pressure on his fellow former freedom fighter. Without tacit South African support, Mugabe's regime is doomed. Zimbabwe, which Mugabe did so much to create, now must be saved by neighboring countries from his chaotic misrule.

You can add your voice to the international effort to save Zimbabwe by signing a petition at http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_zimbabwe/21.php?cl=102949054