I don't know how many have been following the recent elections in Zimbabwe, but as a volunteer for an organization that deals with the human rights of its people, I wanted to discuss the issue. Since gaining independence in 1980, the former Republic of Rhodesia has been led by the same man--President Robert Mugabe. For a brief period of time, the country flourished under the rule of a man who promise restitution for the people of his nation who had been oppressed under a white rule. However, due to unfair redistribution of land, widespread violence, and the dipping of a once thriving economy, Mugabe has ignored the cries of his people. He has successfully continued to use his connections with the military to remain in power for nearly thirty years, and it is not until this past March that his rule has been seriously threatened.
Unfortunately, the elections on March 29th have not led to a new establishment taking over. Running against Mugabe as the representative of the Movement for Democratic Change is a man named Morgan Tsvangirai, who gained a majority in the Zimbabwean Parliament. Still, Mugabe's government have refused to release the actual results of the election to the general public and have also initiated a recount that could very likely lead to the "readjustment" of votes.
Currently, Zimbabwe has one of the highest inflation rates in the world, with estimates stating could range as high as 100,000 percent.* This is creating a massive problem with the affordibility of basic needs and millions of Zimbabweans are suffering from malnutrition and starvation since they have difficulty affording even a loaf of bread. In addition, the HIV/AIDS population peaked a few years ago, revealing that an estimated one-third of the population was infected. While this number has dropped to around 24 percent recently, that is still an astonishingly high number, particularly when there is very little funding to provide adequate treatment.
While speaking with friends of mine living in Zimbabwe, they have stressed that the United States and other nations need to take a stronger interest in the affairs happening, as it is an extreme violation of human rights with every step the current Zimbabwean adminstration takes. These people are dying for their rights, and I just ask you all to look into this and talk to as many people as you can.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/zimbabwe-inflation-over-100000-per-cent...
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I wanted to go on a trip to an orphanage in Zimbabwe once. It didn't work out though. I've heard of how the Mugabe administration has impacted Zimbabwe, but your blog is direct and to the point. Thanks for that. I think I'll talk to my contact at the orphanage.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
How does a person like that get into power in the first place? I know, I know, it's by force and organized crime and all that, but it just blows my mind! What really blows my mind is that our government, the "bringers of democracy" that we are, has not taken a stand against this. WTF?
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
it's completely crazy. While I'll admit there have been a few "high" points to Mugabe's administration (such as the overall educational system being quite strong, with roughly a 90% literacy rate), his refusal to change his obviously failing methods of operation are astounding. Also, while I disagree on so many other issues, I credit Bush for mentioning the problems in Zimbabwe and urging African nations to step up and help. Still, I just wish more was being done and that there is a viable solution that won't end in violence. I'm terrified the situation will turn into another one like Kenya's.
Interesting Note that is often overlooked:
The land was owned by white people, then Mugabe demanded that they leave their land without compensation. He supported squatters who sought to take land without payment from the white people who had owned the land since the British ruled.
Oddly enough, when the white landowners (who were farmers) were booted out, the farming system was destroyed and there was rampant inflation.
When you destroy the supply, without decreasing the demand, that happens.
Also note, to show how useless the UN is, in 2005 the UN let them onto the UN Commission on Human Rights.
To 'help fight poverty' Mugabe demolished the slums. The people, instead of just being in poverty, were now in poverty and homeless.
Then, in 2006, they drove the people out of the cities if they were homeless.
Why would such oppression exist? Well, the people of Zimbabwe are not allowed to own firearms without being on a list that Mugabe has. Guess who his soldiers went for first.
Remember, America.... once they get rid of the 2nd Amendment, the rest fall much more easily.
There are a lot of misconceptions evolved in this crises which is ready to burst out into another human drama.
What many ignore is the fact that Mugabe finds himself in a situation in which he has little chance of brining balance.
If he chooses to be fair in regard to the elections which he is undermining with all means possible, he is going to get in trouble with the ones (co workers) that are demanding a piece of the cake.
Previously he has been dealing with those same people (mainly military officers) which he could smooth by kicking out (farm) landowners in order to hand it over to this vultures that want more of what he has himself.
This already one of the reasons violations of human right are daily realities inflicted by the military.
If he (willingly) steps down from his pedestal, he faces a possibility to become arrested and brought to trial for all the atrocities he has committed during his term of dictatorship!
He was a military officer himself during the struggle for independence in 1980. The people made of him a national hero because they believed in him.
The fact that he like many others got spoiled by furan countries made him to become a dictator.
One needs to understand all of this is nothing more than a supported manipulation of furan countries who willingly provide the necessary weaponry in order to keep a monster like that in the ruling chair.
Chinese, US, Europe and Russia are the number one providers of the trauma one can witness on God TV.
Rich countries are in need of the natural resources of many African countries, in order to make good deals there is a need to keep the masses dumb, poor, uneducated and sick of HIV. The best way to keep this a reality is by providing weaponry and to keep one dictator in place.
Certain minerals needed for our mobiles, computers and other high-tech devices come from countries were people are living hell! If not “hell” for them it would be far more expensive to obtain those minerals. Same applies with silver, gold and diamonds, those rebels everyone thinks of being the enemies, control those areas
which are hotspot of global importance.
The sickness behind all the things that which are taking place on the continent is the fact that is hardly ever reaches outside of it’s boundaries. One cannot believe the atrocities which are taking place as we speak, all of this is related to our (rich) wellbeing.
People on the continent are being kept dumb, but ourselves overseas are being misled by controlled media and lies of what the real reasons upon why dictators flourish upon African soil. They are put in place, to keep chaos a reality.
This sickness is a global governmental cancer caused and sustained by controlled ignorance, if people overseas would really know why and how things are the way they are on the continent, they could bring a real change instead of throwing a bone once in a while.
Money, greed and trauma in full effect!
http://www.loveearth.com/uk/film/