Thursday, January 22, 2009

My Zimbabwean soapbox or how the world watches another country collapse (the other being Somalia)

Okay, so it is not often that I use this blog as soapbox for my views and opinions but I feel that the situation in Zimbabwe is an issue that people should be aware of.
So... consider this less of a opinionated imposition and more like a passionate rant. Current president Mugabe is an archaic freedom fighter turned kleptocratic murderous dictator. He has single-handedly transformed the "breadbasket of Africa" into a failed state marked by food insecurity, a feeble health care system, and daily human rights abuses.
A January 21st IRIN News Report states that "Forbes Asia, put the annual inflation rate at around 6.5 quindecillion novemdecillion percent - 65 followed by 107 zeros. "Prices double every 24.7 hours," The geniuses behind this financial demise also decided this month to release a 100 trillion Zimbabwean dollar note so that people no longer have to take a wheelbarrow full of money to the store in order to buy a loaf of bread. Thanks guys...
Despite all this, the question should be "is there hope for Zimbabwe?" Assuming the breadbasket collapse was not caused by global warming the answer is yes, but this change will not be achieved through sanctions or through the limp noodle governments in Southern Africa who have stood along and watched as Mugabe manhandled his own people. The biggest obstacle is no doubt Mugabe who has shown himself very resistant to change as he recently stated "Zimbabwe is mine- I will never surrender". So as the world turns Zimbabweans are starving, Cholera is breaking out all over their country, and their currency can be used as a toilet paper substitute. Thank you Mr. Mugabe.
Since this is a photoblog, I will post some pictures of trees for your enjoyment....















1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Soapbox all you want. Far too many African problems are getting too little international attention.

I think I said before that your pictures are beautifully poignant. Well done.