Just how is Mugabe's Zimbabwe going to fall?

[Yossarian]

Yep. but his own country - like most other African countries, isn't exactly a united one, and I guess he's managed to leverage the support of the rulers of neighbouring countries, plus some lingering good sentiment from his actions against the Ian Smith government and against apartheid South Africa to keep himself in power and ruthlessly crush all opposition.

I'd certainly still agree with the statement "The majority of African countries are - for all intents and purposes - still economically and culturally colonised", though.

 

[purves grundy]

I'd certainly still agree with the statement "The majority of African countries are - for all intents and purposes - still economically and culturally colonised", though.

Agreed with the economic colonisation, but talking about 'cultural colonisation' in the context of Mugabe's Zimbabwe makes me think that this is the prelude to yet another 'traditional African communities will resist western notions of human rights' type of argument.

And reading the whole article (letter actually) to find out more, well, I can't really understand what line it's taking:

Zimbabwe is of little interest to the West. Zimbabwe is landlocked, has a relatively small population and does not play a major political role in Africa in support of the West. Its mineral resources are not unique; it does not have oil.

 

[xenon]

Makes you wonder, when you look at Zimbabwe, how much people can endure before they say "I've fucking had enough of this."

I think they passed that point long ago. Most who can leave have. You can't fight a revolution if you're energy is all used up just trying to find food. It's a fucking disgrace. In theory could outside military intervention do any good I wonder.

 

[poster342002]

In theory could outside military intervention do any good I wonder.

It was a roaring success in Iraq, eh?

 

[dylanredefined]

I think they passed that point long ago. Most who can leave have. You can't fight a revolution if you're energy is all used up just trying to find food. It's a fucking disgrace. In theory could outside military intervention do any good I wonder.

It could but it would be exspensive to do it properly and cant see south africa too keen on it .Couple of billion $ 10thousand troops engineers field hosptials and a plan to put the country back together oh and enough food and supplies to rebuild the country .Only people who have that stuff lying around is the chinese and doubt they want to do it .

 

[Brainaddict]

It was a roaring success in Iraq, eh?

Well, there are different ways of doing military intervention. The US did it about as badly as it's possible to do in Iraq.

Without the support of surrounding African governments I don't think it would work so I wouldn't advocate it here.

 

[theCIA]

go on bob!

http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/Zimbabwe/0,,2-11-1662_2181307,00.html

 

[xenon]

It was a roaring success in Iraq, eh?

Totally different scenario. As was Siera Leone.

 

[xenon]

But yeah, you'd need physically useful allies in the region. As in, countries willing to send their troops also. Otherwise amongst other problems, it would just look like the West taking over again. Still, seems there's a serious lack of ability or will, from neighbouring countries to do much about it.

Not sure the Chinese would want any military involvement. They're busy fostering business relationships in Africa. Zambia springs to mind. Material contribution maybe to any OAU combined force if one ever got sent in.