The Ongoing Tragedy of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and his military henchmen will do anything to maintain power in their country, even preside over the unnecessary deaths by starvation and disease of hundreds of thousands of their countrymen.

After losing a presidential election but declaring victory, Mugabe et al entered into a power-sharing standoff with actual winner Morgan Tsvangirai.

Since then, a major new Zimbabwean humanitarian crisis has been brewing. The BBC reports that "nearly half the population" will need food by early next year. The report goes on:

a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, which has killed nearly 300 people, has created a new sense of urgency.

A "group of Elders," including former President Jimmy Carter, former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, and Graca Machel, wife of Nelson Mandela, has been trying to get into Zimbabwe with the purpose of measuring the breadth of the impending crisis for international aid agencies. Such a measurement could be an important first-step in helping the world community address the crisis in a targeted, successful way.

But the Mugabe government, still in control, has denied visas to these three, known as the "Elders." It seems that the Mugabe government is willing, like despots throughout history, to preside over the unnecessary suffering and death of their countrymen so long as they continue to avoid the privilege of presiding. It's a tragedy.

To learn more about Zimbabwe, go here.

My mentor in the faith, Martha Schneider, used to advise me when I was confused or perplexed by something: "It's not something you can't pray about." Please pray for the relief of the Zimbabwean people and for the peaceful resignation of the Mugabe government.

You might also want to contact the Zimbabwean permanent mission to the United Nations, expressing the hope that the government there will be open to international help with the nation's growing hunger and disease crisis. The email address is: zimbabwe@un.int