Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s economic and political freefall continues. Once a giant of the liberation movement in Africa, President Robert Mugabe is now best known for his oppression, corruption, and blatant disregard for the best interests of his people. Following the victory of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, or MDC, in March 2008 elections, Mugabe’s ruling party, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, or ZANU-PF, used a concerted campaign of violence and intimidation to bludgeon their way to victory. Zimbabwe’s economic situation remains beyond dire. Unemployment is at 85 percent, the currency is worthless, and one quarter of the population has fled abroad. Zimbabwe’s inflation rate has climbed to catastrophic levels due to extreme government corruption and exchange rate manipulation, with a single loaf of bread now costing millions and millions of Zimbabwean dollars. Although weakened by the ongoing crisis, Mugabe appears determined to retain power by any means necessary, and has reneged on a power-sharing deal. The United States and its regional partners, especially South Africa, must apply swift and strong pressure to bring about Mugabe’s exit, a legitimate political transition, and urgent assistance for Zimbabwe’s beleaguered people.