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Africa Braces for Zimbabwe Refugees

With Mugabe looking ready to hold on to power at all costs, exodus is expected

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2008 9:40 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Zimbabwe's neighbors are preparing for a flood of refugees after next week's election, the London Times reports. About 3 million have already fled Robert Mugabe's regime to South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana. As it becomes increasingly clear that Mugabe will not give up power even if he loses the election, it is feared that millions more will soon be driven out.

Mugabe declared yesterday that "only God” could oust him and that the opposition Movement for Democratic Change will never be allowed to rule the country. Mobs of thugs linked to Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have been attacking and intimidating opposition supporters. Dozens have been killed. Neighboring states, feeling powerless to stop Mugabe, are receiving UN supplies to deal with the expected exodus.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses the youth of his ruling ZANU PF party in Harare, Friday June 13, 2008.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses the youth of his ruling ZANU PF party in Harare, Friday June 13, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Zimbabwean nationals read newspapers at a makeshift refugee camp at Soetwater, South Africa, Tuesday, June 10, 2008.
Zimbabwean nationals read newspapers at a makeshift refugee camp at Soetwater, South Africa, Tuesday, June 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
Zimbabwe nationals are seen in a makeshift refugee camp, at Soetwater, Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, June 10, 2008.
Zimbabwe nationals are seen in a makeshift refugee camp, at Soetwater, Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, June 10, 2008.   (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai speaks outside the court in Harare, Zimbabwe where his general secretary Tendai Biti, unseen, appeared in court in Thursday, June, 19, 2008.
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai speaks outside the court in Harare, Zimbabwe where his general secretary Tendai Biti, unseen, appeared in court in Thursday, June, 19, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Tendai Biti, in red sweater, Secretary General of the Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, appears in court in Harare, Thursday, June, 19, 2008.
Tendai Biti, in red sweater, Secretary General of the Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, appears in court in Harare, Thursday, June, 19, 2008.   (AP Photo)
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Mugabe: Only God can oust me
ABC News (Australia)

Europe plans more Zimbabwe sanctions
New York Times

Zimbabwe opposition pleads for UN rescue
Guardian (UK)

He accuses opposition of spreading lies
BBC

 
Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Morgan Tsvangirai • Mozambique • South Africa • Zambia • refugee • Botswana • Movement for Democratic Change • Zimbabwe elections • Zanu-PF

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