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It is very frustrating to read the latest stream of news about Zimbabwe in the last 3 months. For those not aware of the whole story, here is a brief summary: President Mugabe has been in power for over 28 years (that is almost how long I have been alive), in which the country has gone from being a flourishing economy to a basket case with runaway inflation and no political freedom. An election happened in March in which an opponent of Mugabe won, yet the ailing president refuse to conceded defeat alleging that he did not win majority of votes forcing the elections to a run-off. Yet, after being violently persecuted, the opponent candidate decided to withdraw from the election schedule for this week. The UN security council has urged Mugabe to stop the violence to little avail. The situation seems unlikely to change bar an outside intervention.
While very tempting, an intervention from Western countries would probably not be the best solution. History has shown that when the West has intervened in such form, it has only caused the replacement of one dictator for another. The transition must happen through legitimate means (such as an election). The key to this situation really is the South African leader Mbeki, who still has some influence in Mugabe. Lately, Mbeki has come under strong pressure from the outside world to be more forceful with Mr. Mugabe. He has responded, though, with little to show.
The only encouraging part of this story is to see how the body of Christ is mobilizing all over the world, across different denominations, to pray for this country. Efforts have come from all spectrums of the faith.
Let us join our brothers and sisters around the world to lift up this nation before God. Let’s pray for justice and for a peaceful transition to a new government. Pray also for leadership in the region to arise and confront the African leader. Above all, pray that the people of God in Zimbabwe will be a light in a time of much darkness
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