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April 15, 2008

Opponents of President Robert Mugabe were elected to a parliamentary majority two weeks ago, but the all-important presidential election results are still pending “verification” by a government controlled electoral commission. The Zimbabwe political stalemate is a teachable moment in the fragility and videoplayer.jpg challenges of democracy. Compare, for example, the similarities and contrasts with our own electoral crisis in the Bush-Gore election of 2000, or with the recent elections in Russia or Kenya.

This 7 minute first person overview of the current situation in Zimbabwe sets a context for any number of useful discussions or assignments for your students. How and when will Zimbabweans resolve this dangerous political challenge? What help should international organizations offer to provide legitimacy for electoral processes? What would you do if you were a member of Mugabe’s ruling party? or an opposition member in parliament?

Additional resources:

BBC Country profile: Zimbabwe The fortunes of Zimbabwe have for almost three decades been tied to President Robert Mugabe, the pro-independence campaigner who wrested control from a small white community and became the country’s first black leader.

NewsHour Extra: Story and Classroom Questions: Delayed Election Results in Zimbabwe Could Portend Violent Crackdown People in the African nation of Zimbabwe are anxiously awaiting election results between a charismatic opposition leader, who claims to have won a surprise victory, and President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled the southern African nation with a heavy hand since 1980.

NewsHour Recent Stories: Africa
NewsHour Extra 2002 Story: Zimbabwe Democracy

Zimbabwe Court Deals Major Blow to Opposition Party On Monday, Zimbabwe’s highest court refused to order the release of presidential election results — dealing a blow to the opposition party, which says its leader defeated President Robert Mugabe in the vote. NPR’s Ofeibea Quist-Arcton provides an update from Harare.

Zimbabwe Court Rejects Call to Release Vote Tally Zimbabwe’s High Court dealt a major blow to opposition party leaders on Monday by rejecting their demand that the results from the March 29 presidential election be released.

Mugabe’s Party Loses Control of Parliament President Robert Mugabe faced an uncertain future for the first time in his 28-year rule of Zimbabwe, after the opposition claimed victory in last weekend’s presidential race and his ruling party lost control of parliament, official results show.

Vote Rigging Fears Cloud Zimbabwe Election As officials began to release election results Monday, showing a split between Zimbabwe’s ruling party and the opposition, accusations of President Robert Mugabe’s government rigging returns to hide a loss threatened to throw the country into chaos.

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