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Mugabe Acknowledges Cholera Epidemic

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 17, 2009 1:21 PM CST
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(Newser) – Robert Mugabe has backtracked on his denial of the Zimbabwean cholera crisis, AFP reports. “He is acknowledging there is a problem,” said a UNICEF official who met with him today. “He recognizes there is a problem with the water and the sewer systems.” The admission comes as opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai returned to the country, Voice of America reports.

The cholera epidemic, which has killed more than 2,200, is exacerbated by the lack of services and the disastrous financial situation there. Inflation is running at 231 million percent. Tsvangirai, meanwhile, is back after more than 2 months and is scheduled to meet with Mugabe on Monday for talks on how to resolve the nation's political stalemate.


Women carry water in buckets after collecting their load from an underground source, following a water cut in Harare.
Women carry water in buckets after collecting their load from an underground source, following a water cut in Harare.   (AP Photo)
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.   (AP Photo)
President Robert Mugabe.
President Robert Mugabe.   (AP Photo)
A woman suspected to be suffering from cholera is transported in a wheelbarrow to a clinic for treatment, in Harare.
A woman suspected to be suffering from cholera is transported in a wheelbarrow to a clinic for treatment, in Harare.   (AP Photo)
Children collect water from a well in Harare.
Children collect water from a well in Harare.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
riffran
Jan 21, 2009 3:10 AM CST
That jerk should be made to drink the same water as those poor people
Guest
Jan 17, 2009 3:55 AM CST
The "problem with the water and the sewer systems" is that they are one and the same. "Medicins sans Frontiers" said in a radio interview that more than 20,000 have already succumbed, but who's counting? Certainly not RM. Leave it to the freebie doctors and South Africa to mop up - as long as his wife can go shopping at Harrods, he's happy.

Tsvangirai home, but in no rush to compromise
CNN

That bad: Zimbabwe unveils $100T banknote
BBC

On the death toll
CBC (Canada)

 
Africa • United Nations • Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Morgan Tsvangirai • UNICEF • epidemic • cholera

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