Zimbabwe: 2007 till Mugabe resigns

[Kenyatta]

Hopefully Mugabe falls preety soon, hopefully he gets tried or better yet go the way Ceauşescu went in Romania(a full 30 round 7.62 combloc clip from a AK-47 will do the trick, cheap too.).

Another guy who's has his fate tied with Mugabe is the wanted and exiled Haile Mariam Mengistu, Stalin of Ethiopia now residing in comfortable and well guarded exile in Zimbabwe.

The Ethiopians want him real bad...

If Mugabe falls maybe its two for the price of one....

[Tom Odom]

I must admit my middling ignorance of what's happened in Africa in terms of recent history, but this might be of interest to those who harbor lingering hope for Mugabe's basic good nature.

When I traveled trough Zimbabwe in 1984, we were forbidden to go into Matabeleland. The embassy was well aware of the 5th Brigade's depredations and was trying to get the unit demobilized. That of course fell flat.

the next year I was at CGSC on staff and I sponsored a Zimbabwean captain who was Ndebele. He would talk at length about the Selous Scouts and how they had done a number on his fellow insurgents. I even gave him my copy of the book as a going away present; he was ecstatic. He would not talk about his family and how it was faring under Mugabe's push against the Matabele.

Tom

[Tom Odom]

A round up of grim news taken from the SWJ Blog OpEds. This is the sort of thing that a common narrative coordinated between State and Africom must be worked behind the scenes to bring greater African pressure to bear. The common agreement has long been to refrain from criticizing fellow African leaders, largely on the protocol that one big man does not fault another big man's actions or policies. So far Africa as a whole is not stepping up...

Tom

Zimbabwe Youths Kill Opposition Activists
11 Die in Escalation of Post-Election Violence
JOHANNESBURG, May 7 -- Gangs of youths loyal to Zimbabwe's ruling party beat to death 11 opposition activists in a remote town this week in an escalation of post-election violence, opposition party officials and witnesses said Wednesday.

Two large truckloads of youths, led by two senior members of President Robert Mugabe's party, marauded through Chiweshe, a rural area about 90 miles north of the capital, Harare, and beat prominent opposition members with branches, gun butts, bicycle chains and whips, party officials said. Four of the victims were teachers, and at least two were elderly.

Violence in Zimbabwe Disrupts Schools and Aid
JOHANNESBURG — Zimbabwe’s ruling party, bent on retaining control after 28 years in power, has broadened its campaign of intimidation and violence to include teachers and even aid workers, disrupting education and basic care for tens of thousands of children across the country, according to humanitarian groups, union officials and the teachers themselves....

“We’re giving the people of Zimbabwe another opportunity to mend their ways, to vote properly,” the Politburo member said. “This is their last chance.”

If voters fail to return Mr. Mugabe to office, the Politburo member told a Zimbabwean journalist working with The New York Times, “Prepare to be a war correspondent.”

Mass challenge over Zimbabwe poll
Half of the results from Zimbabwe's parliamentary polls in March have been challenged in court, state media says.
Lawyers say the 105 petitions should not disrupt the work of parliament, but could in the end overturn the opposition's historic majority.
The announcement came as southern African mediators arrived for talks over the presidential run-off impasse.

[davidbfpo]

Came via en emailing list on Zimbabwe I use, thirteen minutes and yes it is partisan. Have a peek: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...K5D6jQKg35XDAQ

davidbfpo

[Stan]

Nice video, David !

"Things will never, ever change."

Mr. President, well put

[Ron Humphrey]

Is there any chance leaders from some of those countries with influence there to make Mugabe feel responsible for ensuring his opponents safety since he's so confident he will win on his own merits?

It would seem only representative of a truly great leader that he be able to win through election and not the representative cowardice of intimidation buuut since we have to realize that he really can't control what some of his younger more (shall we say enthusiastic) supporters do, that he would never-the-less be able to ensure the safety of his counter-part in the election.

Does this seem like an unreasonable request to anyone?

And if not how do you make it stick, or in other words if he can't provide that protection what are the consequences, if any?

[Stan]

Hey Ron,
I think we can safely assume based on historical African destiny, that most African opposition leaders see no mercy. If fact, many of Zaire's minuscule opposition leaders that are alive fled with their entire family tree and pets.

This 2003 Statement on Zimbabwe to President Mugabe only created an even harsher environment for his opposition parties.

I don't think Mugabe is remotely interested in protecting Tsvangirai or any other MDC member, and is too shortsighted to realize it would be in his best interests.

Regards, Stan

[Stan]

Zimbabwe bank issues $500m note

The central bank has issued a 500m Zimbabwe dollar banknote, worth US$2, to try to ease cash shortages amid the world's highest rate of inflation.
The previous highest denomination note was for Z$250m, issued 10 days ago. At independence in 1980, one Zimbabwe dollar was worth more than US$1.

Let hope not blind us to Mugabe’s ruthlessness

As it turns out, it’s hard to mediate between good and evil. Zimbabwe’s high court left Mugabe in control of the votes (expected), but freed MDC activists from detention (minimally laudable). Despite scornful rhetoric from the west and Zimbabwean civil society, Mugabe will survive yet again, absent bold action.

Last month, we were treated to the saga of the Chinese Flying Dutchman, bearing arms for Mugabe but barred entry by South African dock workers, and even the Angolan government. It turns out the arms got through Angola anyway, while the media focused on supposed African unanimity in keeping Zimbabwe arms-free.

A fine idea — an arms embargo against Zimbabwe. A nice symbolic move, with little practical effect. Yet symbolism that conceals that foolish hopes, uninformed by common sense, can be worse than no hope at all.

Too many commentators let their happy hopes obscure reality, suggesting that Mugabe was on the — democratic! — way out. Alas, the “soft power” of moral suasion, diplomatic pressure, and pointed outspokenness is essential but inadequate for countries struggling to throw off tyranny. Even soft power demands a moral backbone, and sometimes a boldly waved stick. Good wishes for Zimbabwe are everywhere, but even the words are timid.

[davidbfpo]

Still catching up on missed news and several reports on the Chinese arms shipment being unloaded. This is quite detailed, note South African Navy refuelled the ship and a UK-reg'd, Zimbabwe-based air transport operator moved the weaposn to Harare.

Read on: http://www.sundayherald.com/internat...ach_mugabe.php

davidbfpo

[davidbfpo]

Subject: Zimbabwe violence "shocks" SA generals - Business Day, 14 May

RETIRED South African army generals investigating post-election violence in Zimbabwe have uncovered "shocking levels" of state-sponsored terror, sources close to them say. The continued violence makes any chance of a peaceful runoff election "almost impossible", they say.

When President Thabo Mbeki visited Harare last week, the team's leader, Lt-Gen Gilbert Lebeko Romano, briefed him on their findings. The violence intensified after it was confirmed that President Robert Mugabe and his ruling Zanu (PF) had lost to the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and its leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the March 29 poll.

Senior members of the investigating team said their findings were "alarming" and that most of the violence was state sponsored, although the opposition had also retaliated. "What we have heard and seen is shocking. We have heard horrific stories of extreme brutality and seen the victims," said one of the generals.

"We have seen people with scars, cuts, gashes, bruises, lacerations and broken limbs, and bodies of those killed. It's a horrifying picture."

The incident which has shocked the investigators most happened at Chaona village in the Chiweshe area last Monday. A Zanu (PF) MP is believed to have led an armed gang of 45 in an attack on MDC activists, leaving four dead. Three other victims died later and at least 50 people were seriously injured.

"It was a ferocious onslaught on the village. We have never seen anything like that before. The village is still in a state of shock and we now live in fear," said an eye - witness at the Avenues Clinic in Harare, where some of the victims have been admitted.

The team of generals has met government, Zanu (PF) and opposition officials, civil society leaders and other interest groups.

I'll not comment.

davidbfpo

[davidbfpo]

The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) has today 20 May 2008 released a Post March 29th 2008 Elections Violence Report No. 1 entitled "Beaten, wounded, bleeding and even lost life for exercising my right to vote":

http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive....asp?sector=HR

davidbfpo

[Tom Odom]

Well here you go: the definitive answer from Mugabe's trophy wife:

Mugabe will keep office, wife says
Leader not intending to hand over power, regardless of runoff
SHAMVA, Zimbabwe - President Robert Mugabe will never vacate his office for opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai even if he loses a runoff election next month, the Zimbabwean leader's wife said yesterday.

Grace Mugabe told followers of her husband's Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party that Mr. Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) would not be allowed to take power under any circumstances.

“Even if people vote for the MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai will never step foot inside State House,” she said after meeting victims of political violence that has rocked Zimbabwe since the first round of voting on March 29.

[Tom Odom]

While Mugabe was denouncing the US and UK in Rome for Zimbabwe's starvation:

Mugabe rival resumes campaign after detention
(CNN) -- Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe's opposition, has returned to campaigning, agencies report, the day after he was detained by police for almost 10 hours.

1 of 2 In a statement reported by The Associated Press, Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change, said that President Robert Mugabe was ready to "try and steal" the presidential runoff vote between the two men.

"Our resolve for a new beginning, and a new Zimbabwe remains unshaken," Tsvangirai added. "We are convinced of the justness of our cause, and we will not waver until we restore the dignity of all the people of Zimbabwe."

And a long term Zimbabwe resident hopes Mugabe wins:

Mugabe rivals: Mengistu must face justice
(CNN) -- Ethiopian ex-dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam may be forced from exile in Zimbabwe to face a death sentence at home if President Robert Mugabe is ousted in an upcoming election, an opposition spokesman indicated Tuesday.

Mengistu, who fled to Zimbabwe after he was deposed in 1991, was sentenced to death on Monday after he was found guilty in absentia of committing genocide during his 16-year rule.

With no extradition treaty, according to legal experts, Mugabe's government is unlikely to act on the ruling, but the situation could change if his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) rivals win a June 27 presidential vote runoff.

[Tom Odom]

Breaking news on CNN as of 0900 Central Daylight Time 5 June

Convoy of American and British diplomats attacked in Zimbabwe, U.S. ambassador says.

more to follow as it comes out...

[Steve Blair]

BBC's take is here.

US ambassador James McGee told the BBC there had been a bid to force their convoy off the road in Bindura after they refused to go to a police station.

He said their tyres were later slashed and a Zimbabwean driver working with a US security official was beaten up.

[Tom Odom]

this is the second incident with US dips and the Zimbabwean security/political thugs that I know of. Ain't democracy great?

[davidbfpo]

Appeared in The (UK) Daily Telegarph today, based on an un-named diplomatic source:

Leading story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-power%27.html

Short profiles of Mugabe's military cabal: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2084...ary-cabal.html

I am sure specialist analysts, e.g. Africa Confidential have reported this aspect or conclusion before. Note it appeared after the US-UK diplomatic incident.

davidbfpo

[Stan]

Appeared in The (UK) Daily Telegarph today, based on an un-named diplomatic source:

Leading story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-power%27.html
davidbfpo

Documents obtained... suggest that the Zimbabwean military is actively involved in running the re-election campaign for Robert Mugabe.

The documents suggest that the JOC, or Joint Operations Command, is now actively helping to conduct the president's campaign, running logistics and operations. The JOC is made up of the heads of the military and state security organisations.

Another document lays out the party's tactics, including the use of scarce food supplies as a political weapon.

"Basic commodities should be sold from either people's shops or pro-Zanu PF shops," it says. "Emphasis should be in party strongholds."

[davidbfpo]

Documents obtained... suggest that the Zimbabwean military is actively involved in running the re-election campaign for Robert Mugabe.

This all comes as no surprise; the Zimbabwean military and police are so committed to Mugabe's remaining in power. Logistics, propaganda and ensuring any violence by ZANU-PF is dished out without interference (the courts come to mind in particular). The election is two weeks away and it will be exceptionally brave Zimbabweans, mainly living outside the cities, who vote against Mugabe.

Sad.

davidbfpo

[Tom Odom]

Now is the time for fellow African states to start actively condemning Mugabe and his apparatus. South Africa's government given longstanding Western efforts to bring about changes there should now be leading this chorus.

Robert Mugabe's militia burn opponent’s wife alive

The men who pulled up in three white pickup trucks were looking for Patson Chipiro, head of the Zimbabwean opposition party in Mhondoro district. His wife, Dadirai, told them he was in Harare but would be back later in the day, and the men departed.

An hour later they were back. They grabbed Mrs Chipiro and chopped off one of her hands and both her feet. Then they threw her into her hut, locked the door and threw a petrol bomb through the window.