Anderson Cooper
It is hard to watch what is happening in Zimbabwe. Sickening to see thugs armed with steel clubs beating people whose only crime is to want a fair election.
For years Robert Mugabe has sent out his henchmen to intimidate his own people. For years he has run Zimbabwe into the ground. Enough is enough.
This used to be one of the most prosperous countries in Africa. I first went there in 1985, when I was seventeen and driving across southern Africa in a truck. I was there again in 1992 when I was working in Africa as a reporter.
It is a beautiful country, and the people deserve better than this. Robert Mugabe helped bring independence to Zimbabwe, but he makes the mistake all tyrants do. He believes he is indispensable, he believes he has a right to rule. He has been president for nearly 30 years. Enough is enough. The people have a right to replace him...
"They can shout as loud as they like from Washington or from London or from any other quarter," Mugabe said recently, "our people, our people, only our people will decide, and nobody else." The truth is, the people there have already decided.
Mugabe came in second in March when his countrymen went to the polls. Now there is a run-off election and he is doing all he can to make sure he doesn't lose again. While the world seems to be waking up to what is happening there, little it seems is going to be done about it.
The United Nations Security Council has finally condemned the violence, but their outrage is not backed up by the threat of force. South Africa's president and the leaders of other African countries have repeatedly turned a blind eye to Mugabe's tactics, and without greater involvement from them, it's unlikely much pressure will be brought to bear.
We sit and we watch, that's all it seems we're able to do.
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The west will take action only if it will miraculously find a huge oil resource in Zimbabwe.
So much for the talk of ensuring that Freedom will march on.
My deep condolenses to zimbabweans; they have to find a way to get out of this deeep mess they are in. Friends, please do not day-dream of some superpower coming on a white horse charging the sword of freedom and liberating you.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Phoenixtocore.
Anderson,
What financial or political incentive does any country have to threaten force on Mugabe? The fact is if Zimbabweans were running big business and investments in the United States or were sitting on 10 billion barrels of oil, the U.N., US, and Britian would be knocking on their door.
Let's just call it like we see it...Zimbabwe is a progressive Darfur or Somalia. We will shake our finger at them and condemn their actions...but that's the end of the story.
Anderson, thanks for blogging about where I was born and raised. My parents and some family members are still there and it really hurts to see what has become of such a beautiful little country and the devastating effect it has had on all the people there.
Why is it that now everyone says that all we can do is sit, wait and see what happens? I remember when Henry Kissinger, Jimmy Carter and Andrew Young were raging against 'us' ,(yes, back then I was a very young white boy) calling our ways evil and worthy of alienation and sanctions. Our ways were not benevolent, nor equatable.
The current situation in Zimbabwe is the product of their (the afore mentioned notable politicians) efforts. Where are the raging voices now? What is happening now is just as bad a repression as the repression imposed on the poor black folk back in that era of history.
Please. Don't wait and see what happens. Let us actively blog, report and rage against the regime that has proven the warning I remember hearing as a young lad to be true, 'The Black folk are not capable of running a democratic country. They will destroy it if they take over'.
I believe all Zimbabweans are capable of running that country. They just need the opportunity to have another chance at it without Mugabe.
ac,I find it ridiculus that we even talk about this in the media. george bush took out a dictator and every body on the left condemed him for it even though both democrates and republicans voted for war. The reality was that Sadam was far worse then Mugabe and the only way you can get rid of these tyrants is to kill them. SO stop your whining an less all your Hoolywood buddies are ready for war!
I blame Jimmy Carter.
Why doesn't the UN enforce their stance on the situation with military force?
It is awful, but what can I do about it? I write letters to my congressmen who respond with trite meaningless letters, I vote for people I think will do a good job in office, and I send aid when I can... but it just seems like there is really nothing I can do about it. So please tell me, what can I do about it?
AP – Mandela rebukes Zimbabwe's leader as condemnation grows
It seems that a few years ago similar tyranny was met with military force to free a country's citizens from a malevolent dictator named Hussein......or so we were told. It's a shame the Western world can't muster similar indignation in this case.........or is it the oil thing?
ac:
Let's be honest, isn't this what our military is for? Why can't the US make an effort to unify with the UN to back up a specific demand from the world community? For example, Mugabe is told to be out of power by, say, July 15th, or the US will intercede and manually remove him to be tried by the UN, or other international organization. Y'know I'm for a moderate budget for the military but i feel like this is what we have an army for.
We can't be the world police, but look at the countries history; he should get out and like Tutu said, we can insure him a 'soft landing.'
As usual, nothing will be done by the UN. It is far too busy worrying about the human rights abuses of natives in Canada, USA, and Australia to concern itself with such issues as the chopping off of hands and beating of people who want a fair election. These horrible abuses go on and on in all parts of Africa while the world sits and watches..Shame on us all.
So – in 2003 we were all told that the USA stood for freedom and democracy and that it would not stand for a tyrant called Sadam Hussein – so it just had to invade.
Somehow now freedom and democracy and a tyrant call Mugabe just don't matter as much – sad Zimbabwe is not the 3rd largest producer of oil in the world.
The world will stand by watching in their hypocrisy. Shame on us all.
Where are the neo-cons and the Bush administration and their spread of democracy now? oh wait, no resources to plunder? I guess we can only install democracies, superficial or not, when it serves some narrow interest. apparently righteousness is not enough of an incentive, not to speak of the fact that the US government simply has no clout anymore. i am embarrassed. period.
Please wake up people and realize that lots of people are dying in Zimbabwe, just becaus of a ruthless man. this is pathetic that mugabe is doing thisis genocide, do not ignore innocent people. Please help us.
yours with perished family -Zimbabwe citizen
A lot of comments here along the lines of 'when will the western world/UN/USA do something', the suggestion being that the use of force by one of the above via some kind of invasion would be appropriate and truly solve the problem. Listen, what are the options? Do people think an army could march in, kick butt and march on out leaving a safe, secure and stable democracy to rise from the ashes of a 30 year tyranny (and prior to that, a colonial vassel-state)? America went into Iraq to, among other things, replace a murderous thug regime that spent decades brutalizing and terrorizing its own people, its neighbours and thumbing its nose at international opinion including ignoring security council resolutions...hmm, not a perfect match but sounds a lot like Mugabe. Question: How much international credit does America get for regime change in Iraq? How much credit does Bush get within America for regime change? The apparent front runner in your presidential race has, as a chief policy plank, retreat from Iraq in ignoble defeat. Iraq has shown that neither Americans (generally speaking) nor the international community have any stomach for any type of sustained action. So why be surprised that nothing happens? Mugabe has zero regard for the circumstances of his people and consequently it is hard to imagine what economic levers, to the extent any remain, could be used against him. The only option to deal with a criminal like Mugabe is the cudgel, but the only nation who could credibly hope to wield same, and who would be at all inclined to do so for the benefit of the locals, has been emasculated by the Iraqi misadventure. So at the end of the day nothing will happen because no American president (or hopeful) will consider the projection of force for the purposes of regime change, other than for prevention of a true genocide, in the next 20 years.
As to the UN, hello!!
yea, lets get all upset about this african situation, our elections in the United states are always fair and democratic because we are the best country in the world and we have a right to condemn other leaders and let ours go untouched, this is exactly what our government officials want anderson and you are playing right into their hands you idiot, a zimbabwe problem is a zimbabwe problem, and lets not act like we are so better off in the great ole us of a, i mean, im not getting beat up with metal clubs on my way to polls, but im gonna be out a job and homeless if trends continue
Thanks for the Comments on Zimbabwe Anderson. We need to hear more about world events from you. This is your forte.
Anyone can rehash Imas, the flaws of political candidates, their spouses and preachers. A good current report on something that really matters it what your viewers are waiting for. The interesting comments on this blog are a testiment to that.
Keep the reports coming.
Jean
The U.N. is UN-American, and UN-human if such a word exists. I guess the blood of African humans is simply worth very little.
It should have stayed as Rhodesia. These folks weren't ready. They aren't ready in South Africa either. They need our help.
Mugabe is just exercising the power left to him unchecked by the rest of the world. As usual, the US can do nothing right. While Europe let Yugoslavia descend into ethnic fighting, it took the US to finally come to their aid and end the war. In Somalia the world wrung their hands until the US decided to try and lost the stomach for helping. Today Somalia is a living hell with pirates in the region. It almost cracks me up to see little kiosks for spare change in Paris as if a few pennies will stop ethnic violence. In Iraq we get soundly criticized (not that we haven't made mistakes) but almost no credit for genuinely trying to help people. Mugabe knows that the world will, as usual, talk big and do nothing. The US is the only country in the world right now who appears to really be willing to try to confront tyrants and there is no chance we will do anything. Shame on us – the citizens of the world – for allowing tyrants like Mugabe to thrive.
The US will eventually help and then the world will ridicule us for helping and point fingers at us for being self appointed 'world police' and then maybe even charge us with some crime for interfering.
Mugabe is pushing his luck at this point.
Just Tell President Bush and all the republicans that they have oil there. He'll have us there before he is out of office.
Africa began as a tribal civilization. It's heartbreaking how they struggle with their own age-old culture now to keep up with the rest of the world to survive, as nations trying to unify themselves when it really hasn't been their natural way before. Maybe the world is moving too fast that it doesn't allow these peoples to adjust in their own time, as well.
Mugabe is a but a blown-up portrait taken from a much vaster mural; a leader is just a testament of how far his people have come as a collective. Sadly the question of why many African nations are struggling will not be answered just by focusing on what they do wrong, but what the rest of the world contribute to it. The pressures coming from the outside are great, and we can't help but patch up the wounds that seemingly open continuously. No time to build, just time to try to heal.
So we invade Iraq and force feed the people democracy. In Zimbabwe, many – perhaps most of the citizens – truly want to freely elect a government of their choosing, but the world will stand by wringing its hands and do nothing to help those people.
Does Zimbabwe have anything we want? Oil, gas, diamonds?
I am a native of Zim in exile. Though the Britain may have contributed to this mess they should not stop speaking against this evil man and his cronies. The world needs to speak for the oppressed and onething which will make a difference is to get all the children of the leaders ack in Zimbabwe like what happened in New Zealand. USA needs to do that send all of them back to where their fathers are. It works. The sins of the fathers can aslo vist te children. If Mugabe can continue to blame the grandchildren of the british for zolinizism so can we also take it on their children
Anderson
You are obviously hitting a nerve – please do an investigation on why South Africa is not heading in the same direction. Whatever is said of South Africa – first democratic leader (Nelson Mandela) left out of free will and the second was just voted out as leader of his party. Please show the contrast and give hope – we need less African pessimism – we need to celebrate victories and in doing so keep countries like South Africa as a symbol of what can be and what must continue to be – because there are forces out there that could move SA to go the same way. Your spotlight on what is done different and right can help make a difference and keep South Africa accountable to continue the Mandela legacy.
Long live the Queen...although symbolic at least she has done something. Look at his evil mustache....I only hope that this Black Hittler will have the same or worst fate. The other crownies...the so called presidents of neighborboring countries are no better than this power hungry maniac. If all western countries and other nations in Asia ended all and every diplomatic ties with Zimbawe maybe we could send a very strong message. Mugabe may your life end like Nicolao Ceausescu.
Shall we police the world? We are in one useless war that shouldn't have happened, have people dying in another war that should have been wrapped up years ago. Now this? We need to address some problems we have going on back here before we start toppling yet another dispotic warlord. The last time we did it, it didn't work out that well.
This is a said story and it is common in most African countries. This is not the first time an African Country will fall into the hands of a tyrant. Mr Mugabe is no different from Idi Amin(Uganda) or Abache (Nigeria). Each of these individual feels they are the best to rule their country. They often terrorize and intimidate the citizens. It is time the rest of the world stands up to this injustice, speak out and if need be take action. The surrounding nations should act in what ever way they can to ensure this tyrant is removed from office. Can Africa take care of itself or should it depend on the west for help. The OAU needs to act quickly, we must defend Zimbabwe and bring peace to Africa.
As long as the rest of the world is informed of the injustice that is going on, I believe there is hope. Lets hope Mr Mugabe will not bar news agencies from reporting the truth, and the Chinese for once will refuse to do business with Mugabe's government.
The situation on Zimbabwe seems bleak; Mugabe has represssed the will of the people, his people(who ousted him in a democratic election ) and the international community seems to be just sitting there, watching this tragedy unfold beofre it's eyes and all it can do in reponse is twiddle it's thumbs in confusion.
What needs to be done is that the African Union(esppecially the nations that border Zimbabwe) has to come out strongly against what Mugabe is doing in Zimbabwe. This condemnation probably would not pursuade Mugabe to allow for a Real democractic election but it would help convince the United Nations to ACT.
Here is what the United Nations would probably have to do to ensure that a fair, democratic election is held in Zimbabwe: Send in the Peacekeepers, They could work in partership with AU peacekeeprs to make sure that the election is fair, that voters are kept safe from political intimidation and violence(seeing as that is a tactic used by Mugabe to stop or silence permantly people who are opposed to him). The presence of peacekeepers would also help in the political transition, so that it would run smoothly and help curb any violence from pro-mugabe supporters.
Anderson...
This is a disturbing event that has been going on for a long time, nothing new. The international commuity have know this for years, and yet done nothing to help especially the neighboring African commuities. The UN is a Joke...I believe that it needs a face-left. Or needs to be disband and reformed to really help those in need. There are going to be tyrants like Mugabe remember Hitler? No matter the colors of these people they are human beings just like you and me. This matter is a disasater, inncocent people and childern are being killed is this called GENOCIDE? The United States have done enough of being a (big brother) type it is somebody else turn. Our country is Broke and it is not getting better yet. Until then our international friends needs to get off their butts and do something.
Yeah for you anderson. I visted Zimbabwe in 2000....it was so sad then to see the fertile fields not growing anything. the univeristys that were built for tourism were closing.
The nites we stayed in Victorial Falls at the lovely victoria Falls Hotel, there were 7 of us. This filters througvhout the nation as all the families suffer when there is no work.
I can not imagine how bad it is now..... Mugabe is no better than Idi Amin.... The UN should step up for the rights of the poeple of this Nation.
shame...
Zimbabwe = no oil = no US involvement
Well Anderson, I do not know what you would want the United States to do about it. We threw down a tyrant in Iraq who had done worse to people on a larger scale and all you and Cnn in general have done is vilify our armed forces and call them murderers. If the US went in and took Mugabe out, I am sure it would be wrong if President Bush ordered it, so quit lamenting because anything our government would do to correct this would be wrong because anything President Bush would do by CNN definitions is wrong, period.
Look, i understand the frustration coming from people, particularly here in the west. But, as an african, i dont think force intervention is the solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe.
I too am sickened by Mugabe as I continue to be sickend by Al-Bashir of Sudan, and also by the coward Mbeki of S. Africa. The hellhole that Africa is becoming is a direct result of the west installing these heinous dictators to begin with. We all realize that colonialism was a great evil, but you can only blame it for so long & more stable African nations need to pressure Mbeki into getting directly involved in Zimbabwe & not just giving Mugabe a wrist slap while tongue lashing the west. Meanwhile, China is doing a very good job of raping Africa and will, in the end, leave it to bleed out. America & its allies need to apply pressure where needed. Get out the word that wherever China's hand is in Africa – Sudan, Zimbabwe, et al, there is a whole mess of grief. The Chinese may not like it, but embarrasing them is the only way to get them to apply pressure on these corrupt regimes. They, along w/the Russians & So. Africa are stopping troops from stepping in and guarding the citizens of Zimbabwe against the atrocities we are witnessing.
You media types drive me nuts. You complain and gripe about the situation in Iraq (remember the brutal dictator that lived there), yet highlight other situations and imply that no one will do anything. Geez, you beat up those who do take action based upon your own political biases, and then wonder why there seems to be little if any reaction to follow-on situations. Hello. And, just for the record, I've been to both Afghanistan and Iraq in uniform. So, I've been there done – done that. They were great experiences and the U.S. is doing many positive (yet under reported) things. Can't imagine how you'd bash this administration if they sent troops to handle this problem – after all, NO OTHER country will do it. That much is clear.
When I see the tyranny in Zimbabwe and other countries I often wonder if these atrocities and genocides would happen if every citizien owned a firearm. I guarantee you Mugabe and other dictators would think twice about how they treat their people if they knew they were armed. Thank God for the 2nd amendment here in the US. It's not about hunting, it about preventing what you see in Zimbabwe now.
The US, Europe, Russia, Asia took part in slavery, colonization for our own use and to "Civilize" Africa. The civilized governments are doing now to their people what we did to them and our own when each country started. We have to own up to our part in this mess which may be why we ignore it. It won't solve the various problems pertaining to each African country. But a realistic and hopeful future might be more attainable if we look at the past truthfully. Just Sayin'
Anderson ,
Thank you for reporting on Zimbabwe. I am one of 3 million Zimbabweans that have left our home country in recent years because of Robert Mugabe. I am deeply dismayed at the lack of action from the rest of the world. Morgan Tsvangirai and Human Rights groups and churches have all pleaded with the International cummunity to send help to Zimbabwe. All we get is "condemnation" and "talks" and "resolutions" whilst people are being raped, murdered, and beaten. What is the threshold for intervention – is it genocide?
I worked 3 summers in Angola and Zambia with the poorest of the poor, giving info on AIDS and teaching literacy classes. When we talked about elections, the people said they wouldn't ever vote, particularly against the incumbent, because his henchmen would find out and kill them and their families. There is no way to overturn corrupt governments, apparently. UN election watch teams prove useless. When will the UN, other developed nations step up? Until there is change, the services never get to the people-–garbage piling up everywhere, minimal city services, little education, but the leaders live like kings. Oil companies, other American and UN companies work in Angola, for instance, but say and do nothing to move progress forward. There must be change and fast.
Hi Andersen,
I found your comments about Mugabe's reign of terror fascinating, particularly when you say you've been to Zimbabwe twice. I'd like to hear more about what you see being a solution. And why does the United Nations appear so impotent in matters such as this? I thought that body was formed for just this kind of purpose....to right wrongs. What gives?
I visited Zimbabwe in 1996. It was a beautiful country then, with very friendly people – open and generous even though mismanagement had already taken much of their potential away. What has happened since then is a crime against humanity.
Mugabe's thugs rely on clubs and WWII rifles. A few well equipped brigades with some air support could cut through them like butter and place the rightfully elected government of the MDC in power within a few weeks. Mugabe could then be frog-marched to The Hague for his crimes.
Unfortunately, the rest of southern Africa would condemn such action, for many reasons but mostly out of shame and cowardice.
Anderson
I think it is very sad situation indeed, becauseeven though the United Nations' General Secetary, UK,USA and some African countries are condemning Mr Mugabe and his tyrant supporters, it is not enough. What is needed is ACTION by ALL African leaders and people where ever they are in the world. What will really happen is that the World leader will still be standing by speaking out agaist Mugabe while innocent people are being killed, the presidential electial over, Mugabe in power, suffering worsens, etc,etc.
Fact is Mugabe's people are killing their own people, NOT American or Europeans or other African people. Also there is no oil or other natural resources that America and Europeans can exploit, so they are going to just talk without action to stop another innocent person of this great and beautiful country,Zimbabwe die to be watch on TV and feel sorry for them.
The world leaders have not learned much from the situation which occurred in Kenya after the presidential election recently, i mean innocent people killed. AND what about the Ruwanda genocide. Who was the UN General Secretary then? My point is ENOUGH of TALKING, for heavens sake DO something practical to help the people of Zimbabwe and a safe and secure transition from political dictatorship to a democratic one. Does every African in UK, USA or other countries bother about the Zimbabwe situation?
Mugabe is only part of the problem. Nothing will ever get done until countries like China and South Africa, who seem to think only of their own potential benefit when choosing whom to do business with, get on board and do the right thing.
The thing is... the United States has been doing the same thing for decades. (see Saudi Arabia)
"Say hello to the new boss, same as the old boss."
Mugabe is only part of the problem. Nothing will ever get done until countries like China and South Africa, who seem to think only of their own potential benefit when choosing who to do business with, get on board and do the right thing.
The thing is... the United States has been doing the same thing for decades. (see Saudi Arabia)
"Say hello to the new boss, same as the old boss."
Well said Anderson. It would be interesting to see if the world may act differently if Zimbabwe was a resource (oil) rich country. No one wants to spend blood and treasure at this point when the only thing to gain is their people's freedom...more is needed to gain for the World Body to act. So it goes, and their people continue to suffer.
I wonder how many Americans heard about what was happening to Jews (and others Nazis targeted) and thought, "I hope they'll be okay." It took the Allied Forces overtaking that horrible government before the atrocities of the Holocaust stopped. I also wonder what will be recorded 20+ years from now about the people who are the victims.
This would be a wonderful opportunity for the Japanese and Germans to take the lead role. For too long, they've sat on the sidelines bulidling cars, machinery and other durable products. Meanwhile the USA continues to lose entire industries, is trillions of dollars in debt and still feels that it is our sole responsbility to solve everybody's problems.
It just infuriates me to see that goon Mugabe subvert democracy and steal the people's rights from them. A righteous use of our miltary would be to crush his regime and allow re-election without the threat of violence. I hate that guy!