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London Zoo: Good News from Zimbabwe

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  1.  (1656.1)
    I know this isn't an especially political forum but I thought this news from Zimbabwe was worth flagging.

    After 28 years, Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party has lost its parliamentary majority. The two Opposition parties have at least 110 seats in the 210-seat Parliament.

    Mugabe is running well behind the main Opposition candidate in the election for President. At the moment, it seems a toss-up as to whether Morgan Tsvangirai, the Opposition candidate, will win an outright majority or if there will be a run-off election between Mugabe and Tsvangirai. Some sources are saying that even if he stops Tsvangirai getting an outright majority in the first round Mugabe may choose to concede rather than face an almost-certain loss in the second round.

    Now we just have to hope that the army doesn't act on their threats of a coup.

    If they can get rid of Mugabe, I'm pretty hopeful for the future of Zimbabwe.
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      CommentAuthorAdam
    • CommentTimeApr 3rd 2008
     (1656.2)
    Thats very positive indeed, but the immediate future even if Tsvangirai is voted in isn't going to be too different for a little while to come. 100, 000% inflation and 80% unemployment can't just be fixed overnight. Granted, I'm sure the international community will place a big priority on giving aid to the stricken country if People's Champ sends Mugabe packing, but its still gonna be a long hard road getting the place self sustaining again.
  3.  (1656.3)
    Hate to piss on the parade but that's just Tsvangirai counting his chickens before ZANU-PF shove in a couple more million votes in stuffed ballot boxes.

    Kenyan attitudes are not optimistic. Mozambique's ex-president Joaquim Chissano has been flown in to mediate talks between Mugabe and Tsvagirai. Not a happy sign Mugabe's letting go voluntarily.

    Cheers,

    Chris.
  4.  (1656.4)
    Chris, a week ago I wouldn't have thought there was even a remote possibility Zanu-PF would concede the Parliamentary elections either.
  5.  (1656.5)
    Admitting he's lost the parliment is not the same as letting go the presidency.

    I hope Mugabe does depart but I'm waiting to see if he'll do an old fashioned junta and stay in power through force of arms.

    C.
  6.  (1656.6)
    Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe is ready to rig contest a second round of the Presidential election.

    "President Mugabe is going to fight to the last, and he's not giving up, he's not going anywhere, he hasn't lost the election,"
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      CommentAuthorlamuella
    • CommentTimeApr 3rd 2008
     (1656.7)
    Mugabe is canny and corrupt enough to hold on tight unless there is a real concerted effort to dethrone him. And yes, I do mean dethrone.
  8.  (1656.8)
    While he's still in power, it seems Mugabe's dirty tricks keep getting more and more serious.

    C.

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