Headline today in the NY Times:
Zimbabwe Plight is ‘Normal’, South African [President] Says (link)
South African President Thabo Mbeki says:
“I wouldn’t describe that as a crisis,” Mr. Mbeki told reporters in Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, after meeting with Mr. Mugabe, Reuters reported. “It’s a normal electoral process in Zimbabwe.”
To the western world, this is far from normal.
Zimbabwe’s people are already suffering from hyperinflation of more than 100,000 percent, and prices of basic goods have climbed higher still. Essential items like bread and soap have all but disappeared from many shops, according to news reports.
And Zimbabwean’s dearest friend, Mr. Robert Mugabe, is being a good sport about it:
Opposition party leaders say that as the standoff wears on the violence against their supporters has risen as the government has cracked down on dissent, with hundreds of party members being arrested amid widespread intimidation.
In other words, 100,000% annual inflation, suppression of the opposition party, delaying the election results by two weeks (and it looks like more) is normal. Sounds like a lot of fun to me!
Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the UK, says:
“I cannot understand why it is taking so long to announce the result of the presidential elections. I am appalled by the signs that the regime is once again resorting to intimidation and violence,” Mr Brown said.
“We will be vigilant. The international community will remain careful to do nothing to undermine efforts to secure an outcome that reflects the democratic will of the people of Zimbabwe.
“But the international community’s patience with the regime is wearing thin.”
Lucky for us, Mr. Mugabe has gained a spirit of humility in his old age:
“If Brown is the world, sure, he will lose patience. I know Brown as a little tiny dot on this planet,” the 84-year-old Zimbabwean leader said.
Even with all this, the South African President dismisses the elections as normal! What am I missing? Are things just different in Africa? It seems that Mugabe is always able to get ahead and gain credibility by insulting Western leaders and denouncing the western influence. And kicking out the last white farmers, again, seems to be gaining him a couple votes.
Is it just me, or does this place seem completely backwards? What was once the breadbasket of Africa is now more of a basket-case than anything else. What will it take to change this nation? Leave thoughts in the comments, if you have them. 
James B. | 02-Feb-09 at 1:31 pm | Permalink
I think thabo mbeki was pandering to Mr. Mugabe when he said this comment. you ask what will it take to change Zimbabwe? I would say a bigger middle class that will demand political stability. There is growing pressure on Mr. Mugabe to losen his grip in africa from the U.S and EU, hense the inclusion of the opposition in the current government. Mr. Mugabe’s days are numbered. (but i’m sure he doesn’t want to see the writting on the wall)