So far, nearly 42,000 people have signed up to Avaaz's petition calling for tougher, targeted sanctions on Robert Mugabe's crumbling regime in Zimbabwe. (You can have a look at the International Crisis Group report that recommends this course of action here, if you'd like to know more).
Mugabe's increasingly extreme tactics for hanging on to power in the Sub-Saharan African state have progressively destroyed a country that was once one of the brightest hopes for democracy in the region. The last few weeks have seen his bullying behaviour taken to ever greater extremes, but for ordinary Zimbabweans this is just the last in a long line of problems they've had to face - they're also contending with unpredictable food suppplies, high levels of HIV and AIDS and hyperinflation - some experts guess inflation could reach 5000% if Mugabe stays in power until the next election in 2008.
But there are several signs that the tide is turning away from Mr Mugabe in Zimbabwe. First, members of his own party are starting to lose faith in his ability to rule and quiet discussions about putting a different candidate forward in the 2008 elections have started to take place. Second, other African powers - most significantly, neighbouring South Africa - are becoming increasingly vocal in their criticism of the crackdown in Zimbabwe. And most importantly, ordinary Zimbabweans seem to be getting ready to tell their leader that "enough is enough" - ensuring the vital foundation of public support for removing Mugabe from power is in place.
The campaigners calling for real democracy in Zimbabwe deserve to know that they have the support of the whole of the international community and Mugabe needs to understand that he must face real consequences as a result of his violent and irresponsible actions. Help us to keep up the pressure for tougher sanctions against the regime - sign the petition and tell your friends and family to do the same!
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Comments (1)
instead to try to find a way to work with the governor avaaz menber ask for sanction. i think that rude sanction canot work when western goverment back up such of ONG for liberation.
I think sanction is not the solution . stop useing the word of democracy to interfet . i like the work we doing i like avaaz job but at the same times i dont like sanction pls stop it
Posted by jennery | 05/25/07
Posted on 05/25/07