surfgirl
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2007
- Messages
- 4,438
Friends, I know that the topic of African issues doesn''t come up here very often if at all, however, having just returned from Uganda, I''d like to bring your collective attention to the mounting crisis in Zimbabwe. For many years, Robert Mugabe has dictated his reign over his country, taking it from a wonderful, vibrant country that was managing to build on the legacy that their British colonizers had left them, and plunging it into the depths of human disaster. Most people have no access to food, and they''re lucky if they can scrape together a mouthful of maize meal each day. It''s population are living in a nightmare that sadly, and perhaps more tragic, it''s African neighbors dont seem willing to help at all. The one person that could make a difference - Thabo Mbeki of South Africa - refuses to lay the hammer down, probably because he doesn''t want his neighbors forcing him to do something one day. The entire situation is pathetic and if Zimbabwe had oil, we''d be doing a lot more to help them.
Last week, the world learned that China hadn''t done enough to abuse human rights in Tibet and Darfur, and now, they have sent a cargo ship filled with arms, destination: Zimbabwe. Yeah, China is helping Mugabe re-fuel his crazy regime and clamp down on the opposition movement, who won last month''s Presidential election. Morgan Tsvangiri likely won in a landslide and since the election, in which Zimbabweans turned out in record numbers, defying crack downs and threats of personal violence if they voted for the opposition. Since Mugabe runs every aspect of the "government" there, the Election Results have not been released yet because he claims that it will start riots, etc. Of course it will, as he lost yet will not abdicate. It is widely believed that Mugabe is waiting until this Chinese arms shipment arrives in country, before releasing any election results because with renewed arms (we''re talking not just bullets, but rocket launchers, missles, etc.) he''ll be able to have his thugs terrorize the people into submission yet again (this has been going on for decades now).
Enough is enough. Right now, Morgan Tsvangiri - the "newly elected" President of Zimbabwe, is in Botswana, and Mugabe has said he should not come back or he wont be "safe". In addition, political pressure from the UK and US and others, has apparently forced South Africa to refuse to allow the arms ship to doc on South African soil. The Chinese ship has tried to dock in Mozambique and East Africa but those countries are remaining united in their refusal to allow this ship to doc anywhere in Africa to unload it''s deadly shipment. Now, the ship is headed around Cape Town, and up to Namibia and Angola. Namibian organizations are trying to force their government to also stand united and refuse to allow this ship to offload in Namibia as well.
To that end, and for those who want to do something concrete to help, my friend who lives/works in Namibia sent the below to me this morning. I would urge you to participate by signing this petition and passing it along to anyone who would be interested in helping, including any other forums you might frequent. PSers, there are just no words to describe the horrors that have been festering in Zimbabwe for years. People that were once vibrant and animated, have been beaten into submission with violence and poverty that is beyond your imagination. The fact that most Americans dont even know what''s going on there is a travesty in itself. We talk here about expensive baubles and luxury purchases that none of us really "needs"...Perhaps we can take a moment to think of those who literally have nothing, and take action to make a change... Thanks for reading this diatribe and making it this far! If you have any more questions on this, feel free to ask.
*****************************************************************************
A ship carrying arms, including 3 million rounds of ammunition, bound
for Zimbabwe is currently trying to find a way of delivering its deadly
cargo. It is highly likely that these weapons will be used to fuel
violence, killings and intimidation in Zimbabwe''s growing political
crisis. THE ARMS MUST BE STOPPED!
Please help stop these arms getting through to Zimbabwe.
Sign the petition:
http://www.iansa.org/stoptheshipment/stoptheshipment.php
Find out more about this action: http://www.iansa.org/stoptheshipment/
Last week, the world learned that China hadn''t done enough to abuse human rights in Tibet and Darfur, and now, they have sent a cargo ship filled with arms, destination: Zimbabwe. Yeah, China is helping Mugabe re-fuel his crazy regime and clamp down on the opposition movement, who won last month''s Presidential election. Morgan Tsvangiri likely won in a landslide and since the election, in which Zimbabweans turned out in record numbers, defying crack downs and threats of personal violence if they voted for the opposition. Since Mugabe runs every aspect of the "government" there, the Election Results have not been released yet because he claims that it will start riots, etc. Of course it will, as he lost yet will not abdicate. It is widely believed that Mugabe is waiting until this Chinese arms shipment arrives in country, before releasing any election results because with renewed arms (we''re talking not just bullets, but rocket launchers, missles, etc.) he''ll be able to have his thugs terrorize the people into submission yet again (this has been going on for decades now).
Enough is enough. Right now, Morgan Tsvangiri - the "newly elected" President of Zimbabwe, is in Botswana, and Mugabe has said he should not come back or he wont be "safe". In addition, political pressure from the UK and US and others, has apparently forced South Africa to refuse to allow the arms ship to doc on South African soil. The Chinese ship has tried to dock in Mozambique and East Africa but those countries are remaining united in their refusal to allow this ship to doc anywhere in Africa to unload it''s deadly shipment. Now, the ship is headed around Cape Town, and up to Namibia and Angola. Namibian organizations are trying to force their government to also stand united and refuse to allow this ship to offload in Namibia as well.
To that end, and for those who want to do something concrete to help, my friend who lives/works in Namibia sent the below to me this morning. I would urge you to participate by signing this petition and passing it along to anyone who would be interested in helping, including any other forums you might frequent. PSers, there are just no words to describe the horrors that have been festering in Zimbabwe for years. People that were once vibrant and animated, have been beaten into submission with violence and poverty that is beyond your imagination. The fact that most Americans dont even know what''s going on there is a travesty in itself. We talk here about expensive baubles and luxury purchases that none of us really "needs"...Perhaps we can take a moment to think of those who literally have nothing, and take action to make a change... Thanks for reading this diatribe and making it this far! If you have any more questions on this, feel free to ask.
*****************************************************************************
A ship carrying arms, including 3 million rounds of ammunition, bound
for Zimbabwe is currently trying to find a way of delivering its deadly
cargo. It is highly likely that these weapons will be used to fuel
violence, killings and intimidation in Zimbabwe''s growing political
crisis. THE ARMS MUST BE STOPPED!
Please help stop these arms getting through to Zimbabwe.
Sign the petition:
http://www.iansa.org/stoptheshipment/stoptheshipment.php
Find out more about this action: http://www.iansa.org/stoptheshipment/
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