In 2009, The Chaos In Zimbabwe Continues And Escalates

Even in January of 2009, the chaos in Zimbabwe continues. Robert Mugabe is still the President of Zimbabwe. There is little to no progress being made in Zimbabwe.

Ever since late December of 2008, it would seem that what is going on in Zimbabwe is getting overshadowed by the fighting in Gaza between the militant group known as Hamas and Israeli forces. For 2008, it was a very violent and chaotic year for Zimbabwe. There was the post-election violence sponsored by the regime of incumbent President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has been blamed for Zimbabwe’s economic crisis and hyperinflation. However, Mugabe dismissed all criticisms and blamed everything on a Western conspiracy. Mugabe had accused his rival, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai of being a Western puppet. Overall, it looks as if Mugabe is hell-bent on remaining in power. The United States had said it can no longer work with Mugabe. This is amidst the ever-growing devastation of the cholera epidemic which has spread to Zimbabwe’s neighbors. Once Barack Obama assumes the US Presidency on January 20, Zimbabwe will post to be one of his first major international problems. Back in mid-December, Mugabe said that cholera was a biological attack launched by the British. At the same time, not much was covered on a possible anthrax outbreak that threatens Zimbabwe’s cattle. Still, many people in Zimbabwe continue to die and suffer. The economy is still suffering. As a result, Zimbabwe released the $1 trillion bank note. But, those trillionaires will be the poorest in the world. According to UNICEF, the death toll has climbed to about 2,225. It is also reported that the number of those infected is at 42.675. Over 1,500 new cases get reported each day. The UN Security Council voted on a US-sponsored resolution for international sanctions against Mugabe. However, China had casted a vote against the resolution. It did cause China’s government to come under fire by critics. So far, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jaichi said sanctions will do nothing to end the crisis. With what is going on, it looks like that this crisis in Zimbabwe is going to last for quite a long time.