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Zuma Calls for UN Intervention in Zimbabwe

South African leader blasts Mugabe, wants election canceled

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 24, 2008 6:39 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Jacob Zuma, the leader of the African National Congress and the most powerful politician in South Africa, called today for the Zimbabwe election to be canceled, saying that the situation was "out of control" and that the UN must intervene. In the most forceful denunciation yet of Robert Mugabe by its powerful neighbor, Zuma told a conference that Mugabe's party had betrayed the African liberation movement, reports the Mail and Guardian.

"We cannot agree with Zanu-PF. We cannot agree with them on values," Zuma said. His comments put him at odds with Thabo Mbeki, the South African president who continues to support Mugabe as a fellow liberation hero. Zuma, South Africa's likely next president, said that he could not support the regime, since "we fought for the right of people to vote, we fought for democracy."

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, center, right, and his South African counterpart, Thabo Mbeki , center, left, in Harare, Friday, May 9, 2008.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, center, right, and his South African counterpart, Thabo Mbeki , center, left, in Harare, Friday, May 9, 2008.   (AP Photo)
South African President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, left and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe brief journalists at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008.
South African President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, left and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe brief journalists at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Jacob Zuma, the leader of South Africa's ruling party, called for the UN to intervene in Zimbabwe.
Jacob Zuma, the leader of South Africa's ruling party, called for the UN to intervene in Zimbabwe.   (AP Photo/ Jerome Delay, File)
Jacob Zuma, the leader of South Africa's ruling party, called for the UN to intervene in Zimbabwe.
Jacob Zuma, the leader of South Africa's ruling party, called for the UN to intervene in Zimbabwe.   (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Thabo Mbeki • Jacob Zuma • African National Congress • Zimbabwe elections

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