Everyone's favourite disaster

[woad&fangs]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25311528

The opposition leader dropped out of the race because of violence and the only thing that anyone does is for some random US diplomat to make a "strongly worded phone call".

[ICantSpellDawg]

unbelievably absurd election.

[Odin]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25311528

The opposition leader dropped out of the race because of violence and the only thing that anyone does is for some random US diplomat to make a "strongly worded phone call".

Well what is it that anyone is supposed to do? To be blunt it seems the system is working well, dictator begins suppression of population, nationalization of farms (a formelythriving sector btw) and has begun intimidation and violence to stay in power.

Raise your hand if you thought mugabee was simply going to walk away

Was anyone expecting their former colonial masters the UK to step back in and correct the problem?

Part of the problem with africa and the middle east is the collapse of the former empires that ruled these parts of the world as colonies. The firm hand came from abroad and it was easy to unite against it.

Now that its gone the next step forward is to devide along tribal lines once the glow of freedom breeds comparisson to others. Seems to me its going forward in a rather traditional manner, the people unite for the good of the nation, it will happen evenutally to the fomer colonies there just needs to be some pain, suffering and anguish.

However, I am all for the former european empires to go in and play police man, how about you? So a few million people have to die on the continent, shhhhhhh dont tell anyone though we wouldnt want to jepordize our entitlements at home to help clean up the messes we made.

Im almost done.

Internal factors are squeezing zimbabwe and there will be blood and sufferring but thus far this has followed suit with just about everyother former colony in africa. No surprises here, hope they get it sorted but it will probably take another civil war and thousands dead.

Hopefully this time the international community will come calling to the former european overlords of the continent and ask them to help clean it up. I'd prefer to avoid another rhuwanda myself.

[Mikeus Caesar]

Hopefully this time the international community will come calling to the former european overlords of the continent and ask them to help clean it up. I'd prefer to avoid another rhuwanda myself.

Too late.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gukurahundi

Back when the world was still singing its praises for Uncle Bob, he was busy massacring his fellow man. People praise the 'freedom fighters' who seized control of White-ruled African countries, but in reality they're all genocidal communist terrorists. Even Mandela. Now don't you guys be starting with the cries of 'racist' and 'nazi'. Mandela is not and should not be above criticism. But the main reason for Africa being the way it is today, including South Africa, which is very quickly taking the long fall to becoming a standard African country (death, disease, famine, war) isn't because of 'the evil imperialist white man' buggering everything up. It's because of idiot African culture where everyone has strict obedience first and foremost to their tribe. As long as the tribal mindset of Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa exists, it will forever be known as a humanitarian disaster on an epic scale.

EDIT: I thought i could add to this post, so i will.

[Lemur]

It's because of idiot African culture where everyone has strict obedience first and foremost to their tribe.

In fairness, our European ancestors went through this phase as well. Pretty much everything leading up to the Enlightenment, when you think about it. There's not much moral difference between the Thirty Years' War and Rwanda, especially when you consider that between a third and 20% of Germany died.

I'm not saying hooray for African tribalism, mind you, I'm just saying that this is not a new problem that is unique to Africa. Most cultures went through the "let's kill everybody who disagrees with us" phase of tribalism before the Internet and 24-hour cable news.

If you've got a strong stomach, here's a firsthand account of "reeducation":

Last weekend we had a big pungwe - a political indoctrination meeting - on the farm. It was after Mugabe had come to our little town of Chegutu, southwest of Harare, and addressed the crowd with threats of “war”. A pungwe starts when the shadows lengthen and the sun goes down and darkness falls over the land. It does not stop till after the sun has risen again.

All our workers had to go, as well as all their wives with babies and any children over the age of 12. Some of them didn't go; so the mob sent little bands of chanting youth militia with sticks to fetch the absentees, drag them out of their houses and beat them for non-attendance. Through the night we heard the chanting and the slogans and the re-education speeches ringing out into the cold darkness for hour after hour after hour. On and on it went, striking fear into my heart. I got up and paced around in the cold night, listening.

When the first birds began to sing, I thought: “How can these birds sing after such a night as this?” Then the birdsong was drowned out. There was a terrible noise like a swarm of bees. I knew the beatings had begun again and I listened helpless, tormented, in fear but praying fervently.

There's also a Flickr album of torture evidence, but I caution you that it really is not for the faint of heart. Documenting this sort of thing is important, since states love to cover up the mutilating they do, but it's sickening and heartrending to see. Seriously, this is not a RickRoll, this is bad stuff, so exercise caution. Link below the spoil.

Be advised, graphic images of torture victims in Zimbabwe.

[Don Corleone]

Thank you for the double warnings there Lemur. I actually flirted with the idea of looking at them and clicked your "More" button, but since you felt the need to insert a second warning, I passed. I admit it, there's a part of me that will always be a softie, and I just can't ever learn to accept things like this. I still get misty watching Hotel Rwanda.

[Husar]

Just makes me think that something has to be done, quickly if possible.

[Odin]

Just makes me think that something has to be done, quickly if possible.

Not to single you out Husar but Im dying to hear what everyone thinks should be done

This has ugly civil war written all over it, and its par for the course in post colonial Africa. So what can we do? Sanction them? That would be wonderful for the economy. Send in peacekeepers? The AU is doing a splendid job in Dhafur....

Nah, we might have another potential blood bath(what was the last one Liberia?) but action requires running the gauntlet.

You act your a world power who is throwing there weight around yadda yadda, you dont do anything then your unethical swine. I'm thinking its going to be the later on this one, but hey Mugabe is in his 80's so the blood shed shouldnt last to long.

BTW, do they have any oil reserves?