Watching Zimbabwe Elections in Africa
Back off the continent again! Today I write this from my hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am here hosting a meeting with my fellow World Vision employees, one of whom happens to run all of World Vision’s Humanitarian Emergency Affairs for Africa. (which is pretty much my dream job). I was honored to have Steve here. Having very recently dealt with a huge post-election political crisis in Kenya, Steve kept one eye on his email all day watching for any news on Zimbabwe. It is interesting being here watching the Zimbabwe presidential elections. The whole world is watching, but Africa is watching, and praying and holding her breath as she waits for the results. The election is extremely close, with the opposition candidate, Tsvangirai, falling short of the required absolute majority to avoid a second round. No one knows if Mugabe will go down with a fight or not. The tension is rising. Foreign journalists are being hunted under tight media laws.
I was in Zimbabwe two months ago in a tourist area near Victoria Falls. Though we were shielded from the typical suffering due to the acute economic crisis, it was still apparent. Clearly the lack of other tourists in and around the hotel was a symptom. I have no idea how this hotel could afford to stay open. Other signs were the desperate sales tactics used by young Zimbabweans accosting us to buy trinkets on our walk to the Falls. They needed my money way more than I did.
Join me as we pray against any violent confrontation and for positive political change in this economically devastated nation. The people of Zimbabwe need our prayers and need God to take action.