Mugabe Could Be Close To Being Tried By The International Court

As the violence by President Mugabe’s mobs continues to escalate in Zimbabwe, the international community is preparing to crack down on his regime.

The June 27 runoff elections in Zimbabwe are not far away. However, it has felt like a long time since March 29, in which Zimbabwe had its presidential elections. From March 29 and possibly until and after June 27, Zimbabwe has been plagued with brutal and bloody violence. The violence has been blamed on Mugabe’s Zanu-PF militiamen by the United Nations (UN) and various human rights groups. The militiamen have been assisted by the military. On March 29, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), had won the elections. But, he did not get the majority needed to avoid a runoff election. However, Mugabe’s administration has been accused of manipulating the poll results as they were withheld for weeks. Jendayi Frazer, the top US diplomat to Africa, accused Mugabe of trying to steal the election. She said that it was Tsvangirai who had won the election outright. Members and supporters of the MDC have been targeted for brutal executions. This is the clearest indication that Mugabe has no intentions to cede power to Tsvangirai. Mugabe is bent to do whatever means he can to remain in power. South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating, has been criticized for his stance on the matter. He had even clashed with United States President George W. Bush on this issue. Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga had demanded Mugabe step down from power. He called Zimbabwe both an eyesore and an embarrassment to all of Africa. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown demanded that Mugabe let international aid workers and UN envoys into the country to monitor the elections. Many people in Zimbabwe have been threatened with death if they do not vote for Mugabe. Now, the international community is planning to take action. One Western diplomat explains that Mugabe is close to being indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague. So far, it does not seem that Mugabe knows it. However, the ICC does not have jurisdiction over Zimbabwe. The UN Security Council has to approve it first. However, the council has been divided. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: “By its actions, the Mugabe regime has given up any pretence that the June 27 elections will be allowed to proceed in a free and fair manner. We have reached the point where stronger international action is needed.” The Zanu-PF continues to add pressure on the MDC. Tsvangirai was recently denied a passport. Now, Mugabe is being abandoned by the rest of Africa. Mugabe continued to receive condemnation from one nation after another. While Mugabe could face being indicted by the ICC, it is easier said than done.