Executive Director, TransAfrica Forum
Executive Director of the TransAfrica Forum, a Washington, DC-based advocacy group for US foreign policy in Africa
PROFILE
Nicole Lee
Guest
FROM Nicole Lee
To the Point
How Will the World Respond to Mugabe's Re-Election? Zimbabwe, which used to be called "the breadbasket of Africa," is now an economic basket case, with half the people depending on food aid and inflation pegged at nine million percent. After weeks of bloody political violence and political opposition, the UN Security Council will debate Robert Mugabe's re-election, despite his already having been sworn in. Mugabe is now in Egypt for a summit of the African Union, which may, or may not, play a crucial role in restoring stability to his devastated country. Is there any chance for political reconciliation? Will the opposition try to set up a government in exile? Can international intervention avert an extended bloodbath?
To the Point
Mandela's Fading Vision of Peace for Southern Africa With just a few weeks to go before a presidential run-off election, Zimbabwe 's Robert Mugabe continues to crack down on his opponents and has banned aid groups from getting food to the hungry. And in neighboring South Africa , despite a strong economy, unemployment is rising and so is crime. A recent wave of violence directed at foreigners has shocked the nation. As Nelson Mandela turns ninety, what are the prospects for peace and democracy in the region? Should African and Western leaders put more pressure on Mugabe to hold fair elections? Have post-apartheid policies failed to create a new South Africa?
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To the Point
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To the Point
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