Zimbabwe in turmoil

Zimbabwe’s political crisis deepened this week when opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from a presidential runoff election just days before it was to be held. Tsvangirai, who was to face off against longtime ruler Robert Mugabe, said he could no longer participate in “this violent, illegitimate sham,” nor ask his supporters to go to the polls “when that vote will cost them their lives.” Tsvangirai’s withdrawal came two days after militia forces loyal to Mugabe beat Tsvangirai backers at a rally with iron bars and sticks. Since March, when Tsvangirai outpolled Mugabe in the first round of balloting, at least 85 of his supporters have been killed while thousands have been beaten or driven from their homes.

The U.N. Security Council, in its strongest rebuke yet of Mugabe, issued a unanimous condemnation of the anti-opposition violence and said a fair election was now impossible. The statement won support from South Africa, China, and Russia, which previously had blocked such a move. But Mugabe’s government said Tsvangirai’s withdrawal had no “legal effect,” and as The Week went to press, the June 27 vote was still going forward.

The choice for the civilized world is now clear, said The New York Times. If Mugabe refuses to permit political opposition or violence-free elections, he will have relinquished any claim to legitimacy. Then the U.S., Europe, and other African countries must make it clear that “they will no longer recognize Mr. Mugabe or his government and will use all their powers to punish and isolate them.”

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The goal, said the Los Angeles Times, should be “getting Mugabe out.” The best hope for that may be for the African Union to send a team of diplomats to deliver the message to the 84-year-old strongman that it’s time for him to go. “He may be immune from international pressure, but the people in his inner circle can be made to understand how unpleasant their lives will be if they persist in holding their miserable citizens hostage to his rule.”

Who are we kidding? said Bret Stephens in The Wall Street Journal. Mugabe is a madman who has said that “only God” can remove him from power. Diplomacy and U.N. resolutions may make us feel better, but without military intervention, Mugabe’s not going anywhere. “Someone must remove Mr. Mugabe by force, install Mr. Tsvangirai as president, arm his supporters, prevent any rampages, and leave.”