Using food as a political tool

The sustained assault on the Zimbabwean opposition was hardly unexpected. Ever since President Robert Mugabe lost the election to Morgan Tsvangirai, then manipulated the result to force a run-off, violence by Mugabe supporters was widely predicted.

Tsvangirai, who was held by police at a roadblock in a clear case of harassment before being released, knows that he is taking on powerful and sinister forces. Opposition leaders have been charged with criminal offences for criticising Mugabe, amid state-sponsored violence against grassroots, activists and voters have left at least 50 people dead and tens of thousands homeless.

On top of this food is being used as a political weapon by Mugabe as his government threatens rural areas with cutting off what meagre rations and aid they get. And still the nations of southern Africa stay quiet. Of course Mugabe will win the election, his government has organised the vote count to make sure he comes out ahead. The people of Zimbabwe need African nations to stand up for them, but Mugabe is gambling that no one will actually do anything except issue mild criticisms. So far, to the shame of southern Africa and the international community, he has been proven right.