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Carter: Zimbabwe Conditions 'Horrifying'

Humanitarian crisis getting worse because of stubborn Mugabe

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:17 AM CST

(Newser) – Jimmy Carter and his group of international peacemakers have been barred from entering Zimbabwe, but reports of conditions there are “horrifying,” the former president tells NPR. Mugabe’s “campaign of oppression” has frustrated attempts to deal with a spreading cholera outbreak. “Mugabe had made every effort, successfully, to conceal the fact that there’s an absolute, total humanitarian crisis in his country,” Carter says.

Because Mugabe’s corrupt minions steal any humanitarian aid, cholera patients aren’t getting real treatments, increasing the death rate tenfold. If Mugabe doesn’t agree to a power-sharing deal soon, he should be ousted, but African leaders are reluctant to condemn an African hero. “Maximum pressure by his own peers is what is necessary,” Carter says. If South Africa and other neighboring nations demanded he step down, “he would have to do it.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Former US president Jimmy Carter is shown during a news conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday Nov. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, gestures as he delivers a speech during the International Conference on Financing for Development in Doha, Qatar, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

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The Mugabe government is so corrupt that any money sent into Zimbabwe for humanitarian purposes — a lot of it is stolen by his chosen people, so you basically have to send in material goods. - Jimmy Carter

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COMMENTS

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Showing 2 of 2 comments

Guest

Dec 10, 2008 9:52 PM CST

I feel that if Carter wants to help these people in need, and with the right intension, its his right and a good deed. It is painfuly obvious that African Leaders don't care. Someone needs to reach out. Put yourself in thier shoes for a moment. They are helpless and dying.

Shannonals

Dec 9, 2008 10:29 PM CST

And exactly why is Carter even trying to get involved, doesn't he have houses to build? Let the African Leaders police their country

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Africa • Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Jimmy Carter • South Africa • Cholera

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Carter: Zimbabwe Conditions 'Horrifying'