Zimbabwe 'Election' Goes on as Planned
By George Thomas
CBN News Senior Reporter
June 27, 2008
CBNNews.com - An election that President Bush calls "a sham" went on as planned today in Zimbabwe.
It was supposed to be a run-off between Zimbabwe's current president turned dictator Robert Mugabe - and a candidate promising to bring democracy back to the African nation.
So Much for Democracy
Under Mugabe's leadership, Zimbabweans have had to deal with skyrocketing inflation, little or no healthcare and very little food.
Most in the country are desperate for change.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the regime of Mugabe has been using intimidation, fear and violence against the opposition.
The crackdown is getting worse by the day as the country got closer to the election.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he could no longer sit by while his friends and supporters were murdered.
He dropped out of the run-off election earlier this week.
"We in the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate, sham of an election process," Tsvangirai said.
His daughter, Vimbai Tsvangirai, said, "He did not want to sort of run a country full of dead people, dead bodies. So he is more concerned about the safety of his supporters."
But Mugabe denies all charges of intimidation. "That's a… lie," Mugabe charged.
Mugabe Incurs Global Condemnation
Once hailed as a liberating hero in the 80s, Mugabe is now being condemned by most governments around the world.
"We want the world to be speaking with one voice to condemn the violence and intimidation that has taken place against the opposition and also against the Zimbabwean people," a White House spokesperson said.
The United Nations declares that a fair presidential vote is impossible because of the campaign of violence waged by the Mugabe administration.
Even Africa's elder Heroes of Freedom have added their voices to the global throng calling for change in Zimbabwe.
"We have seen.the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbor, in Zimbabwe," Nelson Mandela said.
South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, "He has certainly disappointed, distressed very many people who had held him in very high regard as someone who liberated his country from the shackles of colonialism."
Mugabe has clung to his position for nearly 30 years, ruling with an iron fist. The 84-year-old contends he was appointed by God.
Tutu said, "He has, I mean, mutated into something that is quite unbelievable. He has really turned into a kind of Frankenstein for his people."
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