Mugabe was sworn in for his sixth term as Zimbabwe president today, after winning a one-candidate election. Mr. Tsvangirai (who survived three assination attempts) withdrew from the race after his supporters were targeted with the same political violence. His name still appeared on the ballot. And Mugabe, despite regional and international protest, continued with the election, declaring its legitimacy. 

Curious to find out more about the arms embargo that the US and UN are discussing, doubt China will be a big supporter.

“What is happening today is not an election. It is an exercise in mass intimidation with people all over the country being forced to vote.” -Morgan Tsvangirai

Mugabe has blocked aid (mostly food aid and water sanitation) to Zimbabwe from all NGO’s due to allegations that some have supported the opposition (Tsvangirai). The NGO’s in question have all denied the accusations, and no evidence has been put forth. Over four million Zimbabweans are believed to need aid.

“Mr Walker said Care had been accused of being involved in the distribution of brochures on behalf of Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and threatening to withhold food from those not supporting the opposition.” (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7433069.stm)

ZANU-PF,  President Mugabe’s governing party, are themselves known to offer food as an incentive for party votes. By suspending aid from NGOs the governing party is leaving itself in charge of food distribution to millions of Zimbabweans in complete poverty. Under Mugabe’s leadership, the economy has fallen for the last seven years, culminating in a crisis of hyperinflation (over 1,000 percent since last April.) Zimbabwean political analysts have speculated that the government’s recent purchase of 600,000 tons of corn will be given out only to supporters. I cannot believe that in 2008 this level of corruption is still manageable.

“Eldred Masunungure, a political scientist at the University of Zimbabwe, noted that while the opposition defeated large numbers of ZANU-PF politicians in the March 29 election, the government has not allowed the newly elected local officials to take office until after the presidential runoff. It is through these local politicians, he said, that the party determines who is eligible for food aid and other assistance.”

Also, read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/07/world/africa/07zimbabwe.html?ref=africa

The run-off election is a total sham in the first place, and its insane that such transparent and unsophisticated displays of brute force and coercion are not easier to stop.