AFRICA

How to Steal an Election

As Zimbabwe prepares to vote, Robert Mugabe has taken even harsher steps to insure a high turnout in his favor.

By Rod Nordland | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jun 26, 2008 | Updated: 7:35  p.m. ET Jun 26, 2008

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  • Posted By: amactmas@yahoo.com.br @ 07/12/2008 2:24:46 PM

    I'm terrified to understand that Mr. Mugabe And ZANU, lead a liberaton mouvement without a post independence maximum economic programme, rether than expect British subsidy for agrarian reform! That explains all!

  • Posted By: R Lawrence @ 06/27/2008 1:59:24 PM

    The more things change the more they remain the same. This ongoing story that is playing itself out in Zimbabwe today is the same story that was playing in almost every country in Africa, in South America, Asea and other places on the planet. Some people just cannot handle power. The story usually begins with an oppresive government being overthrown by a grassroots group fighting on behalf of the oppressed people of the country. The group or rebels have massive national and internantional support and possibly financial and military assistance and participation. The old government is overthrown, a new government is formed by the rebels with many hopes and promises for bettering the people and lifting them from bondage, poverty, oppression, and creating a much better life than they had under the previous government. Several years pass and reality sets in; the rebels begin to fight between themselves, possibly creating a civil war, conflict continues, new ellections are promised but the rebel leaders become bullies, tyrants, currupt, and greedy for power. The new government is just as bad or worse than the old one that was replaced and the counrty remains a hell for its citizens. In Africa and so many other back water countries in the world, this is a common story. Why can people not rise above these cycles of bad governance?

    • Posted By: THE RAVEN @ 07/02/2008 11:58:14 AM

      Damn, lawrence--sounds like you were describing the U.S. to me.

  • Posted By: lsenires @ 06/30/2008 9:46:52 PM

    Man these blacks aren't just a problem here in the states are they? It seems everywhere there's blacks, there's trouble. Such a shame. It would be nice to export them to Pluto or some planet not closer than Saturn. Tyrone Shoelace

    • Posted By: THE RAVEN @ 07/02/2008 11:56:34 AM

      That was some funny $hit, lsenires. I liked it. Like you, too, racist. But if I had said something like that about you white animals, you honkies would be all over me, calling me a racist (and other names). They would be right, of course.
      Can I have a turn? The FBI just broke up a white pedohile/slave operation ran by you nasty honkies in the U.S. Hundreds of little boys were raped and molested. This goes on constantly. Not to mention the one (of many more) they broke up where the men were "marrying", I mean molesting little girls. A redneck spree killer was just arrested--one of many of you white animals running around.
      Are you a male? Bet you saw your father fu*king your little sisters in your trailer park trailer while your mama looked on. They get passed on to the brothers later, don't they? Are you a female? Bet you were screwed by your daddy, uncles, and brothers, too. While your weak-minded mama just let it happen. We got a big redneck, cracker problem of our own. Shooting up malls, college campuses, schools, serial killers, the kkk, neo-nazis, skinheaeds, traitors...too many problems to mention, white boy. What a waste of pale skin. I know...let's send you all to hell! Oh, wait...you devils are going there anyway.

  • Posted By: jaross @ 07/01/2008 5:49:10 AM

    We read about your comments in the papers here about Zimbabwe and what does your country do? NOTHING, if the country had oil you would have invavded or done something years ago. You are a bunch of hypocrits and corrupt scavangers of the world's resources.

  • Posted By: RiversideWarrior @ 06/26/2008 8:27:24 PM

    This is really a sad story of how a once-prosperous country has been dragged down by a despotic old man and his military junta cabal. In the absence of international intervention, It is clear that only armed revolutionary struggle can realistically be applied to remove them from power. The irony of an armed insurgency being employed against ZANU-PF illustrates how much times have changed. It is time for the Zimbabwean people to start taking up arms and waging a bush war against the so-called "war veterans" and their "Green Bomber" youth militia to give these fascists a taste of what they deserve. People from throughout Africa and the world should donate money to the liberation front effort and the neighboring countries should act as hosts similar to what was done during the Rhodesian war. Bring back ZAPU!

    • Posted By: REALITY CHECK @ 06/27/2008 10:31:18 AM

      VIOLENCE WORKED REALLY WELL IN RWANDA, DIDN'T IT?

      • Posted By: Mzalendo @ 06/30/2008 5:40:26 PM

        Apples and oranges make for a very good comparison. Rwanda is not Zimbabwe or vice versa.

      • Posted By: 2cents @ 06/27/2008 12:12:14 PM

        What else will work? Zimbabweans are damned if they do and damned if they don't. The violence will not stop after the election. Any intervention on the ground by Western countries will be seen as illegitimate and will strengthen the position of Mugabe and his thugs. Only Africa can solve this problem, since only Africa can be blamed for letting it get to this low place. And the solution is revolution. How can sanctions possibly work in a country that already has 6,000,000,000% inflation? Mugabe does not care for Zimbabwe, he does not care for its people. He is a xenaphobic, racist, tyrant. How do you take away something from a despot who has nothing but his life left to lose? The math is as simple as it is cold - You take away his life. If this were the situiation in my country I know it would end in a fight. Be proud Zimbabwe and be brave. Stand up!

        • Posted By: RiversideWarrior @ 06/30/2008 12:39:58 PM

          Concur 100% with 2cents. And as for "Reality Check" maybe you should start living up to your name and "get real" unless you wish for fascist murderous rule of the Mugabe/ZANU-PF regime to continue.

  • Posted By: bgdknk @ 06/29/2008 3:48:56 PM

    Down w/ Mugabee!!!! Bless Zimbabwe

  • Posted By: bgdknk @ 06/29/2008 3:45:10 PM

    Mugabee is a FARCE that needs to be dealt with accordingly. The U.S., U.K., E.U., U.N. & Allies need to impose sanctions and put in place reprecusions for his illeagal activities. God Help & Bless the people of Zimbabwe!!!!

  • Posted By: bgdknk @ 06/29/2008 3:41:11 PM

    Mugabee is a fraud and a fake. He needs to face reprecusions for his illeagal activity. The people their need our help from the U.S. and Allies plus the UN. F' Mugabee the FARCE!

  • Posted By: ndlovukhulu @ 06/28/2008 1:31:49 PM

    Eventually, Mugabe's money will dry up, as he robs the last person and company in the country of their wealth. Then his printing presses printing his "Monopoly" money (and in his case he has a monopoly stolen from the people he was intrusted to govern) will cease, his henchmen will begin to feel the pinch, and his power will fail. This ruthless man has taken the country hostage, helped by "freedom fighters" who weren't even old enought to have fought in 1980--they're just thugs he's armed. But the true tragedy is that the people of this country teeter on the brink of starvation, and the media has so frightened political leaders with their unrelenting condemnation of the invasion of Iraq that none have the courage to face the onslaught of the media outcry against "racism" or "colonialism." What a farce the press has inflicted on the world. The media praised him, propped him up, and now condemns Bush and others for not helping--but if they did, the press would crucify them again. Alas, the people suffer. All I can say is, inhliziyo yami iyakhathazeka ebantwini.

  • Posted By: Tan Boon Tee @ 06/28/2008 1:45:46 AM

    Has any one seen a more bizarre and ridiculous election in the world?
    Has any one heard about voters being forced to go voting when there is only a sole candidate?

    The chronic senile octogenarian, completely drowned in the ocean of maddening power for decades, has totally lost his mind, desperately clinging to the precarious presidency. How pathetic.

    The great majority of Zimbabweans are already in great suffering, its magnitude and intensity are beyond description. Yet the despot obnoxiously pretends to be oblivious to the deteriorating situation and continues to indulge in self-deception.

    How long would the world keep tolerating the rule of the tyrant and watching the oppressed people dying of hunger and disease everyday?

  • Posted By: lilinha @ 06/27/2008 9:34:29 PM

    I want just say: poor people! They need God so.

  • Posted By: joshmom @ 06/27/2008 10:18:26 AM

    The US took the responsibility of ousting Saddam so why not get rid of Mugabe. I forgot Bush and friends can't get rich of this country.

    • Posted By: geronimo509th@earthlink.net @ 06/27/2008 3:55:51 PM

      Actually, Mugabe would not be in power except for Jimmy Carter, Andrew Young, et. al., who mindlessly backed him during the Rhodesian war. It made no difference to these "useful idiots" that Mugabe was being trained, financed and supplied by the North Koreans, for our bleeding heart morons it was about "human rights" and "one man, one vote". Mugabe starting murdering his opponents as soon as he came to power. Suddenly, everyone is concerned that he is doing what he has done for nearly thirty years.

    • Posted By: REALITY CHECK @ 06/27/2008 10:28:43 AM

      WITH THE UNRELENTING FLAK BUSH HAS TAKEN FOR REMOVING THE TYRANT IN IRAQ, WE NOW WILL BE UNABLE TO DO IT ANYWHERE IN THE FUTURE. IT'S PREVENTING ACTION IN DARFUR, AND WILL HERE AS WELL. WHAT A SHAME WE'VE TIED OUR OWN HANDS FOR PARTISAN POLITICAL REASONS. OUR "CHICKENS HAVE COME HOME TO ROOST".

  • Posted By: Akmatic @ 06/27/2008 2:03:39 PM

    I don't quite understand how this guy stays in power when they have almost no economy, inflation that is almost unable to be tracked due to the rate at which it's been rising over the years and a total lack of food. Mugabe has never done anything positive for the country and is instead running it into the ground while himself living in the lap of luxury.

    I mean seriously, there isn't one person over there with a telescopic lens and a rifle to end this guys reign of terror?

  • Posted By: Bass Pro @ 06/27/2008 9:21:24 AM

    The latest move by Mugabe is to employ Katherine Harris as his campaign advisor. Is it possible the hanging chad will return?

  • Posted By: greyskies @ 06/27/2008 12:43:49 AM

    Now that Nelson Mandela has finally broken his silence on this issue, it's time for South Africa to stand up and take some responsibility as a regional leader. Mbeki's stance on Zimbabwe has been a disgrace to the region - dare I suggest that he has been bought by Mugabe long ago...? What other explanation could there be for his appeasement of a tyrant, even in the face of looming refugee problems and violence in his own country?

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