Zimbabwe Roundup

Mugabe Prepares to Take Over Banks, Mines as Isolation Deepens

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is preparing to take over key businesses in mining, banking and manufacturing as his international isolation deepens, two members of the ruling party’s politburo said. The 84-year-old leader said two days ago that he may form an “Economic Revolutionary Council” to overcome sanctions, the officials said. Mugabe’s plans suggest he doesn’t intend to bow to calls to step down as the economy collapses and cholera spreads. The top U.S. envoy to Africa, Jendayi Frazer, said Dec. 21 that Mugabe has “lost it.” Zimbabwe is in its tenth year of recession, with an annual inflation rate of more 230 million percent and an unemployment rate more than 80 percent.

Mugabe rejects US, British calls to step down

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said Tuesday the U.S. and Britain are "stupid" to think he shouldn't be part of a unity government. The top U.S. diplomat for Africa said over the weekend that Washington can no longer support a power-sharing proposal that leaves Mugabe president, and Britain's Africa minister backed the U.S. stance on Monday.

Zimbabwean president hints at early elections

President Robert Mugabe hinted at early elections Saturday, saying his party should be preparing to avoid a repeat of his loss in March. Mugabe spoke Saturday at the close of a two-day conference of his ZANU-PF party. He told about 5,000 party loyalists new elections would be held if a power-sharing plan collapsed.

-----------------------------------------

That last story is very interesting....suggesting that he lost the election last time, yet he remains president.

With that in mind, I don't know why the world could trust the results of an early election.