BY: STEPHEN STEEHLER Zimbabwe Current Events

Economic Crisis Governor Gideon Gono announced that from Aug. 1, the local currency would be changed by removing 10 zeros.  The highest note was 100 billion. On August 21, the American Business Association of Zimbabwe will hold an economic forum. Zimbabwe is in its 10th year of economic recession and has the world's highest inflation rate, 2.2 million percent. To ease the impact of a ravaging economic crisis Zimbabwe attempted to roll out new sets of banknotes and coins.  Zimbabwe is in a bad state of normality

Economic Crisis Con’t Economic Crisis highlighted by…  Chronic shortages of food  Fuel  Massive unemployment at almost 80% Critics accuse president Mugabe of destroying one of Africa's most promising economies with…  Controversial policies  Seizures of white-owned farms for redistribution to blacks No hope for country without change in government.

Economic Crisis Con’t Zimbabwe, one of the richest countries in Africa It sadly descended into economic chaos  Blamed on policies of President Mugabe. Mugabe has denied he is ruining the economy  Laying the blame instead on international sanctions Since controversial re-election in June, Mugabe talks about power-sharing deal with the opposition party  The Movement for Democratic Change Two sides have shown no sign of coming to an agreement  Country's economic situation has been worsening President Robert Mugabe

Economic Crisis Con’t Trying to stop spiraling inflation the central bank chief called for a six-month freeze on…  Prices  Wages Flag of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Election Crisis The battle for power in Zimbabwe has moved into the courts. President Robert Mugabe and his rival Morgan Tsvangirai are waiting for a court…  Decide whether it has the authority to order the release of delayed presidential results  Both sides await any legal moves Mugabe is mobilizing his war veterans against the country's few remaining white-owned farms.

Zimbabwe Election Crisis Con’t Sadly, The withdrawal of Morgan Tsvangirai from Zimbabwe’s presidential elections has raised serious concerns regarding the nation’s future.  Decision came as a result of the violence committed against his party’s members  Led to the deaths of 86 people and displaced more than 200,000. Fearing for his life, Mr. Tsvangirai has taken refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare. Morgan Tsvangirai

Zimbabwe Election Crisis Con’t The opposition party hopes that neighbors and the international community will put pressure on Robert Mugabe  Stop the violence, and allow free and fair elections. Mugabe stated that is a near impossibility He says he will not hand his country to a leader he asserts is a “puppet” of the West. Citizens of Zimbabwe see Mugabe as  Ruthless  Undemocratic  Senile  Evil

Zimbabwe Election Crisis Con’t United States and United Kingdom are prepared to bring the situation before the UN Security Council But South Africa’s President Mbeki said the country should address problems from within Meanwhile, as events unfold in Zimbabwe, hospitals continue to be overcrowded with patients  Many are suffering from severe injuries because of beatings received by the militia who support the Mugabe regime  Others are sick and starving due to lack of food aid which is being given only to those who support the present government

Zimbabwe Election Crisis Con’t Across the country, health officials report  The stress of constant militia attacks  The uncertainty of what the future holds  Led to worsening health conditions.

Citations Reuters, Cris C. "Zimbabwe rolls out new bank notes as economic crisis bites." Chinapost. 2 Aug SEO/PPC. 16 Aug Dutton, Julian. "Zimbabwe inflation rockets higher." News.bbc. 19 Aug BBC. 16 Aug Denee, Kevin D. "Zimbabwe: Election Crisis Unravels." Real Truth. 26 June WND. 17 Aug