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July 9, 2008 6:54:46 AM CDT

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Zimbabwe Opposition Claims Victory

Posted Mar 30, 08 6:20 AM CDT in World    Most Covered

(Newser) – The Zimbabwe opposition is claiming victory in national elections to unseat long-time leader Robert Mugabe—but government authorities quickly warned that premature pronouncements would be dealt with harshly. "It is called a coup d'etat and we all know how coups are handled," warned a government spokesman. Authorities plan to announce official results today. President Mugabe faced the most formidable opposition in his 28-year reign in yesterday's elections.

Though he appeared destined to lose, Mugabe is expected to be declared the winner amid complaints of vote rigging. The Mugabe regime harassed the opposition and threatened to cut off food supplies to voters who didn't back the ruling party, according to Amnesty International. The world's highest inflation rate is crushing the nation, already devastated by an HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Sources Reuters, Bloomberg

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Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, casts his vote on election day in Harare, Zimbabwe, Saturday, March 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Electoral officials start counting ballots following the end of voting, at a polling station in Chinamhora, near Harare, Zimbabwe, Saturday, March 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mujahid Safodien)
An unidentified woman casts her vote at a polling station in Harare, Zimbabwe, Saturday, March, 29, 2008. Eager to vote, Zimbabweans began lining up before dawn Saturday for elections that present President...   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Zimbabwe's Main opposition MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, casts his ballot in Harare, Zimbabwe, Saturday March 29, 2008. President Robert Mugabe faces the toughest challenge...   (AP Photo/Mujahid Safodien)
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, and his wife Susan, right, look on, as they go though the voting process in Harare, in the country's elections, Saturday, March 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mujahid Safodien)
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Zimbabwe  • Robert Mugabe  • Zimbabwe elections  • HIV/AIDS  • Amnesty International  • Harare



Related Threads: Africa, Zimbabwe: Mugabe's Misery

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