Posted on 06/03/2005 11:17:14 AM PDT by John Jorsett
Zimbabwe is about ready to explode in a nightmare mass murder, or bloody revolution. It's not genocide this time, but democide (government killing massive numbers of its own citizens.) The Zimbabwe government, in power since the country became independent in 1980, dealt with increasing unpopularity by terrorizing political opponents, rigging elections, and paying off supporters by driving its most productive citizens (the white farmers) out of the country and stealing their property. This move made it impossible for the country to feed itself. Relief agencies sent in tons of food, but this was distributed in a punitive fashion, with anti-government areas getting less food, or none at all. Last year, the government proclaimed the food emergency over, and said it needed no more charity from foreigners. That was a face saving lie. This year, the government admitted there was a food problem, and requested 1.2 million tons of food.
But it appears that the government will again use the food as a weapon. For the past month, police have been shutting down black markets in the cities, where the anti-government feeling is the strongest. Over 20,000 people have been arrested and several hundred squatters have been driven back into the countryside. The black markets have been a major source of food and other goods for the urban population. Without the black markets, the urban population will be totally dependent on the government for food. In the countryside, where the government still has some support (because of the distribution of land taken from white farmers), people can grow enough to feed themselves, but not the third of the 12 million population that lives in urban areas. Nearly all the farmers use primitive techniques, and live from harvest to harvest. One bad year, and starvation becomes a major factor. There is much disease, and the average life expectancy is 37 years.
There hasn't been any revolution so far because the potential rebels cannot get guns. No one is willing to arm the dissatisfied majority, and over two thirds of the population lives in poverty. The ruling party is corrupt, and hands out what wealth is available only to those that actively support it. There are no large deposits of items like diamonds or gold, that are readily converted into cash. It was that kind of money that fueled the civil wars farther north, in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Religion is not a factor either, with less than one percent of the population being Moslem. Further north, irate Moslem populations have been armed by wealthier Arab nations.
The government seems determined to starve its enemies to death, secure in the knowledge that the victims are unarmed, and the government forces have lots of guns. It's even difficult for the rest of the world to find out what's going on, as foreign reporters were expelled years ago, and the local press is under strict government control. This story will only get reported after the dead are buried.
Hmmm. I wonder what Amnesty International says about the jails in this s-hole?
I say we give Koffee Kannan a one-way ticket to go settle this fiasco. He did such a great job for Bosnia and Rwanda.
Sounds like the problem in Iran too. Probably in most places where the expected revolution fails to occur.
Sounds like fertile ground for islamification, doesn't it?
The USSR fell without a shot being fired. If the people really want to end his reign of terror they will.
They will probably say there are no jails in that s-hole, and that it is the most hunky dory place on earth to live in. Come to think of it, don't the North Koreans say NK is the best place to live too?
We've stayed on top of this story for years.
The USSR stood for about 70 years though. China has lasted 50. It takes time.
(sweeps hand) These are not the jails you are looking for
"Why do you keep posting this stuff? Nobody cares about Africa, anyway..."
Clive, Cincinatus's Wife, blam, myself, and a few others get asked that occasionally- we are among the keepers of the "AfricaWatch" columns, and we continue to post articles about what I believe will prove to be one of the great, tragic stories of the new century.
The truth is archived here on Free Republic, and I maintain that one day, when things over there are too awful to be ignored any longer, those who have eyes to see will read the stories here, and be appalled at the silence.
That is all...
Keep up the job. It is a pleasure to have people to watch Africa which doesn't get much attention. Since threats of terrorism and threats of China are one of the priorities of America today, it probably won't catch much attention, but there should be one day that the world will shift their focus on Africa. I have only noticed Clive as a specialist within Africa affairs recently, but I am appreciated for the news that has been posted within Free Republic. I hope you people will continue the efforts for the democracy watch of Africa.
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The press is happy to report Anmesty's complaints about Gitm o on the fromt pages but Amnesty's reports on Zimbabwe get buried in the back sections if they get printed at all.
no one can give people their freedom, it's must be taken back for themselves.
<< no one can give people their freedom, they must take it back for themselves. >>
The Rhodesian/zimbabweans have their "freedom." [FRom the execrable British and from their last-ever decent [Smith/UDI] government]
This piece but examines their return to the pre-stone age from which colonialization lifted them and measures the distace travelled around the spiral back into the dark ages depths set in motion by -- and the [Inevitable] consequences of -- that "freedom."
bump
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