Zimbabwe Holds Elections in Midst of Economic Crisis

Filed under: Africa, Zimbabwe — Jason, Managing Editor on March 26, 2008 @ 8:05 pm CET

Zimbabwe is preparing for what may be the closest election yet for ruling party leader Robert Mugabe. The elections take place in the midst of a crippling economic crisis, with food and other essentials scarce and the Zimbabwean dollar nearly worthless.

Mugabe has systematically decimated what used to be a vibrant and productive agricultural sector in Zimbabwe. He has also ruthlessly repressed political rivals, with politically motivated violence and other forms of thuggery rampant in the country. Increasingly, Zimbabwe is beginning to resemble the sad state of Uganda under Idi Amin. Only the hope of heightened international attention holds some slight promise to force his government to allow fair elections and honor the results.

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1 Claudia

March 27, 2008 @ 12:00 am CET

It’s depressing to imagine that no matter what the result of the election, violence will probably ensue. If Mugabe "wins" the others won’t accept it. and if he loses, he’ll likely refuse to recognize it. Either way we’ll have yet ANOTHER enormous human tragedy in Africa.