Isolation and Suffering Grows!

Mugabe's regime has now resorted to desparate measures to secure their nation's demise. Over the past weekend The Elders were barred from entering Zimbabwe by being refused visas. Jimmy Carter a member of the elders said that Zimbabwe "appears much worse than anything we ever imagined". Graca Machel, a women's rights activist had heard heartbreaking stories from conversations she had with refugees, and has also called for a resolution for the nation.

The situation that Mr. Carter and Graca Machel and so many are realising has been one of humanitarian crisis. It is reported that only since August over 300 people have died in Zimbabwe from cholera. The outbreak was set-off by massive water shortages, and an almost complete collapse in the healthcare system. With the lack of international and independent media in Zimbabwe it is really hard to even guage the exact extent to the problems the nation is is facing.

In the meantime on the political front - there has been less hope. Election results were completely ignored by Mr Mugabe, which found him defeated by the opposition. He then claimed to try to negotiate with the opposition and create a power sharing government. All this has been fruitless, with Mr. Mugabe refusing to release his iron clad hold on control of the government. Talks are said to resume again on Tuesday. And Mr.Kofi Anan has called on SADC, which has largely neglected the problems in Zimbabwe, to put their "full weight to bear to ensure the agreement is fully implemented." Though things have moved slowly there is some hope in that the world is beginning to notice the catastrophe in this small nation. Hopefully leaders will follow through with more than promises and initiatives, because the longer they take the more lives that are being lost.