by Marcus Brooks

Created on: August 12, 2008   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

Another hope for democracy fell in Africa. On July 22, 2008, incumbent ruler, Robert Mugabe maintained his dominance of Zimbabwe. He maintained his hold on the presidency after a devestating, but disputed, electoral victory.

Mugabe received 85.5% of the vote. However, accusations of stolen, defaced or spoiled ballots created political controversy. In addition, a dark side to his re-election came to light.

A few years ago, Mugabe's government fell into an economic crisis. Despite being independent, black Africans were the huge majority of Zimbabwe's poor. White farmers owned farmlands rich in fertile soil. Natives were stuck to shanty houses. To garner "nationalist" support, Mugabe condemned this "European colonialism" and nationalized the farmlands. His government stripped the whites of their ownership. Suddenly, squatters came to lay their claims. Shootouts erupted. Ten white farmers died. However, black Zimbabweans neglected to cultivate their acquired properties. Thus, the country's agricultural industry collapsed.

Amidst this disaster, the Movement for Democratic Change formed. It was operated by opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirani. He received support from the West to challenge the ZANU-PF. But, the president answered his challenge with fire and sword. What followed was a systematic campaign of murder, arson and intimidation of MDC members and sympathizers. When Zimbabwe's 2008 election came around, tribal violence intensified.

Tsvangirani that his party members were targeted by ZANU-PF, security forces and pro-Mugabe, armed thugs. Similar political killings occurred in Haiti during the late 1980s.

On CNN and MSNBC broadcasts, people are beaten and chased by assailants wielding clubs and elongated whips. There are also murder victims hacked, beaten, burned or shot to death. The death toll was 86. Around 200,000 were driven from their homes. This was an estimation because Mugabe's supporters deterred journalists from witnessing their atrocities.

Earlier in the year, Tsvangirani was, himself, tortured by security forces. He accused Mugabe of trying to kill him. Fearing for his life, he sought asylum at the Dutch Embassy in Harare at the election's most violent period. He dropped out of the contest. He wanted to save the supporters he had left.

Mugabe's campaign of terror was made aware to Great Britain and the United States. Formerly, named Rhodesia, Zimbabwe was a British colony until getting her independence after World War II. Parliament took the issue seriously. Member, Paddy Ashdown said the situation in the country deteriorated into a point where genocide could erupt, like in Rwanda. That part of Africa witnessed its share of tribal massacres such as the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Namibia.

Thabo Mbeki pledged his assistance to help Zimbabwe. Nevertheless, his country battled with internal strife as foreign "Mozambicans" were being driven from their shantytowns. Over 50 people died from this ethnic upheaval.

The final answer came in Tsvangirani shaking Mugabe's hand. The West recommended Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF government to accept "a government of national unity". However, the president still held first and last say. With this strategy, the opposition's power would be neutralized. Zimbabweans would accept anything as long as peace came from it. They accepted their 100,000% inflation. They accepted not being to drive their cars because of high fuel prices. They also accepted not having businesses sustain their growth. Their fate remained like many in Africa.

Democracy won't prosper in Africa. Why be fair when enemies could be killed off or bribed?

Learn more about this author, Marcus Brooks.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.