Zimbabwe refuses Carter

Former US President Jimmy Carter, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Graca Machel (Nelson Mandela's wife) attempted to visit Zimbabwe (in Southern Africa) for a humanitarian effort—to speak with Zimbabweans and assess their situation—they are victims of hyperinflation and are facing immediate starvation in addition to an outbreak of cholera. Zimbabwe's crisis is due to internal leadership issues, which began in the spring and have deteriorated since. President Robert Mugabe has refused to step down after an inconclusive March election which caused a runoff with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. The two have not be able to reach a power sharing agreement, despite pressure from other African nations that Mugabe should yield power after his 28 years in office. Mugabe has refused to issue these humanitarians a visa and the local newspaper stated that the prospective visitors were hostile to Zimbabwe. Carter, Machel and Annan were hoping to get a first hand sense of the crisis facing Zimbabwe and asses the nations needs, while ensuring the people of Zimbabwe that they are not alone. Despite not being able to enter the country, Carter said he believes the situation in Zimbabwe is much worse than expected. Most do not have an optimistic view of the problems Zimbabwe faces—South African President Kgalema Motlanthe stated that “Zimbabwe may implode and collapse” if the “root cause of this political absence of a legitimate government” is not resolved. With humanitarian efforts blocked, it appears the only hope for Zimbabwe lies in pressuring the country to take initiative to help its people and itself. South Africa has begun withholding $3.3 million in agricultural aide to the nation until the government and the opposition forces of Tsvangirai have reached an agreement. Other African nations have been encouraged to do the same. This appears to be a conflict only Africa herself can solve, since no others seem capable of penetrating the forces of Mugabe.