Zimbabwe

June 25, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - "I am deeply disturbed by the recent events in Zimbabwe and condemn the actions of President Robert Mugabe in the strongest possible terms. The United States and the international community must be united, clear and unequivocal: the Government of Zimbabwe is illegitimate and lacks any credibility.

I welcome yesterday's United Nations Security Council statement condemning the violence sweeping Zimbabwe, and underscoring that the Zimbabwean government's campaign of repression and brutality has made it impossible for the June 27 elections to be free and fair. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is absolutely right when he says that run-off elections under these circumstances would lack any legitimacy.    » read more »

June 23, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Clinton today issued the following statement:

“The deepening political crisis in Zimbabwe is a growing concern that needs attention from the United States and the international community. Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change, withdrew from a Presidential runoff that was to be held this week, calling the process an ‘illegitimate sham.’    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- "I remain deeply concerned about the crisis in Zimbabwe, where the government of Robert Mugabe last week banned the operations of humanitarian agencies working across the country. The regime's latest attempt to hold on to power at any cost has already accelerated the suffering of millions of Zimbabwe's citizens. Food and other assistance from international agencies including UNICEF, CARE, and Oxfam are critical to the survival of millions of Zimbabweans who cannot afford basic foodstuffs due to skyrocketing inflation and the government's disastrous economic mismanagement.    » read more »

April 26, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - "I am deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in Zimbabwe. Since the elections on March 29, the ruling party has failed to release the results of the presidential election, refused to heed the will of the people of Zimbabwe, and engaged in an unacceptable campaign of repression and intimidation. Instead of the change that the people of Zimbabwe voted for, we've seen opposition and civil society offices raided, opposition supporters sent to torture camps, and communities turned into “no go zones” while the ruling party unleashes brutality without restraint.    » read more »

April 4, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary elections:

"On March 29th, millions of Zimbabweans went to the polls to choose their president and parliament. The resulting defeat of the ruling ZANU-PF party in parliamentary elections underscores the Zimbabwean people's rejection of the failed policies and the widespread suffering caused by Robert Mugabe's repressive rule.

Robert Mugabe protest balloon: Photo by Sokwanele (CC)    » read more »

April 1, 2008 -- ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. -- Senator John McCain today issued the following statement on the current situation in Zimbabwe:

"Our ideals must animate our foreign policy and that includes support for democratic forces in closed societies. The opposition in Zimbabwe has endured repression, hardship, beatings and imprisonment.

Senator John McCain: Photo by Dan Bennett (CC)    » read more »

United Nations relief officials say nearly a million people across Southern Africa have suffered damaging effects from recent floods, cyclones and heavy rains.

The officials say severe weather that began last October has disrupted the lives of about 987,000 people.

They say Madagascar has been hardest hit, with more than 332,000 people affected by several cyclones and floods.

The floods and cyclones have destroyed homes, roads and crops across the region. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says many families are living in temporary shelters, while others have lost their cattle and livelihoods.

The U.N. says the worst weather is over for another year, but problems could persist through the end of April.    » read more »