Thursday, December 11, 2008

Mugabe: "Cholera epidemic is over"

Despite Cholera rampaging across Zimbabwe, Mugabe think everything is fine

“I am happy to say…that there is no cholera”

While officials in South Africa are declaring a disaster area in a part of the Limpopo region on the Zimbabwean border, as a result of desperate refugees spreading cholera. As Zimbabwe (and its neigboring countries) continues to suffer, attempts are being made by outsiders for military intervention. Furthermore, "Mr Mugabe refuses to give up political control of either the police or the armed forces, leaving the opposition still vulnerable to arbitrary arrest, intimidation and physical attack"

What kind of person says this while people are suffering and dieing, and this man is going as far as to say that the disaster is over. He continues to hoard all the power while the UN is scrambling to help. Honestly, he does need to step down but what happens then? Someone will have the take the position and in the current situation, that may not even be possible. So far, Bush has simply called for Mugabe to stand down which is good i guess given the current state of things in the US but it does not seem likely that he will on his own accord. Junior soldiers are currently the only ones rioting and has yet to reach higher ranks but will military force work? I do not think so but with the way things are, that is very likely to happen given the terrible situation.

5 comments:

Roxane said...

The US and Europe have a stained history of interference in Africa (the Belgians in Congo and the US involvement of their "independence" for example") and African not doubt partially as a result has a history of dictators and epidemics of all kinds. I think it is hard to know when we really should not get involved. The UN usually has good intentions which don't always work out as we already have seen (Rwanda), but this is not a genocide atleast and the epidemic is an act of nature which of course we can help if we were able to, and Mugabe obviously does not have his citizens as a priority. But now, doesn't that sound familiar? Power can be so corruptive...

Jesse Chung said...

http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12780907&source=features_box3

sorry, i forget this, this is the source

Anonymous said...

Well this is not surprising. He didn't want to admit that there was an epidemic in the first place, and now it's just over. Apparently, he doesn't want to admit that he's doing a horrible job. Can't he see his country deteriorating in front of his eyes? He really must be blind. But then again, this probably doesn't affect he. He has access to clean water, and he has money. He's a selfish leader that needs to step down...either on his own or not. Until he's in power, unless he has a change of heart, the country is going to continue going though this downward spiral.
The soldiers are rioting because they aren't getting paid. Soldiers and civilians alike have limited amounts of money that they can withdraw in a day, and the amount isn't even enough to buy a loaf of bread. The ridiculous inflation has made their money literally worthless. And due to the lack of supplies, many people are crossing the boarder to get treated, spreading the cholera to South Africa.
I just can't believe that power can corrupt and destroy this much. Mugabe is terrible.

Alex Voto said...

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace"

I think the world's dictators should catch a hint from this statement.

This sort of sickening denial of actual problems reminds me of a couple of other incidents. Iran denying the holocaust, for example.

Thankfully we have a free press and the ability to blog on sites such as this. Of course, even the internet has it's flaws, but its better than getting your information from corrupt individuals like Mugabe. Man up, face the problems of your country. Mandela did it, and rather than be known as a coward to his people, he was praised and respected.

From BBC: "Mr Mugabe also said Western powers were plotting to use cholera as an excuse to invade and overthrow him."

I would rather have a war where people die fast and with honor than an epidemic where no one is safe and leaders shift public thinking with lies.

Oliver Draper said...

I'm not sure what to think of this as I haven't read up too much on the subject. But the US and Europe do have a reputation for meddling in Africa too much. I think we should keep our noses out of this one. We have too may problems here at home anyway.