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East/Subsaharan Africa
Tensions over Zimbabwe vote
2003-03-29
Polling has begun in two by-elections in Zimbabwe, with voters complaining of intimidation by militants from the Zanu-PF party of Bob President Robert Mugabe. Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change have exchanged allegations of violence during campaigning which human rights groups say has left hundreds of people injured. More than 500 people stood in line at one polling booth in Harare an hour after it opened, complaining that ruling party supporters were jumping the queue. "Zanu-PF bully boys youths are milling around at the gate asking people about their party affiliations and generally being intimidating," said one man.
Elections, Mugabe style.
The opposition MDC has accused Mr Mugabe's party of planning to rig elections in the two constituencies, which were won overwhelmingly by the opposition at the last general election. It alleges that up to 19,000 extra voters have been registered improperly to boost support for Zanu-PF. On Friday, the hapless European Union condemned "unprecedented government-sponsored violence" against the opposition in Zimbabwe. It accused President Mugabe's government of arbitrarily detaining and torturing hundreds of opponents. It also said the Zimbabwean people had a constitutional right to protest peacefully and called on the government to respect that right.
Who's going to enforce this? The EU?
The opposition has accused the authorities of trying to prevent the area's genuine residents from voting by distributing rare commodities such as sugar, maize meal and cooking oil stained with indelible ink. In order to prevent people voting more than once, voters has required to dip their finger in indelible ink when they cast their ballots. Anyone with indelible ink already on their hands is not allowed to vote.
Effective, nasty trick: you can eat or you can vote.
One of the parliamentary seats at stake in the by-elections came vacant when the sitting MP died in police custody. A leader of the pro-government militants who have been occupying farms is one of the candidates for his seat. At the same time, the government is seeking the arrest of opposition leader and hero Morgan Tsvangirai on charges of causing civil unrest. He is currently on trial for plotting to assassinate President Mugabe — a charge he denies — but is free on bail. Home Affairs Chief Thug Minister Kembo Mohadi accused Mr Tsvangirai of using his freedom to incite democracy violence against the government and he urged the judiciary to detain him.
Wonder if the EU will even bother to issue a condemnation this time, or whether the French will block it.
Send them some hand lotion and tell them to shut up.
Posted by:Steve White

#3  What good fun!... Why don't we air drop in some small arms and ammo -- put the whole mess on satellite TV, grab some popcorn, and watch 'em blow each other up -- anything but another half-assed Clintonesque Somalia 'humanitarian' effort.
Posted by: Steve   2003-03-30 01:00:53  

#2  Keep it up, Bob. I can hardly wait for "Concert for Zimbawe". Might want to cut down on the Hitler quotes though if you want to draw the real big bands.
Posted by: tu3031   2003-03-29 22:54:26  

#1  jeebus what a hell hole. Why aren't Nelson and Desmond and Jimmy out there monitoring the vote ?
It's no fun unless they can criticize the U.S. or Jeewwwsss. Hypocritical aholes
Posted by: Frank G   2003-03-29 18:15:47  

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