The United States Must Increase the Pressure on Zimbabwe

Publication Date: May 2008

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Thomas M. Woods

Research Area: Government

Keywords: Zimbabwe; Africa; Robert Mugabe; Zimbabwe presidential elections

Type: Brief

Coverage: Zimbabwe

Abstract:

The second round of Zimbabwe's presidential elections will be held on June 27 according to Zimbabwe's Electoral Commission. The runoff pits the first round winner, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, against President Robert Mugabe. Mounting state-sponsored political violence leads even Mugabe's staunchest supporters to question whether elections held under current conditions could produce a result with even a modicum of legitimacy. With the United Kingdom serving as the current President of the United Nations Security Council and the United States poised to take over in June, these countries should use their position on the Council to bring increased U.N. pressure and attention to Zimbabwe.