Search

The article reports that American bureaucrat Condoleezza Rice's confirmation hearing by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee concerning the Iraq war was fierce at times, but it was her listing of Zimbabwe as an "outpost of tyranny" that created the real firestorm. While she did not go into specifics, it is clear that the American administration finds the political situation in Zimbabwe, one of Africa's strongest economies, unacceptable. In a statement, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe called Rice and the American administration "fascists." Many believe Zimbabwe's freedom set the stage for South Africa's move to multiracial democracy in the 1990s.

This article reports that Zimbabwe is facing its worst economic crisis since 1980 and is turning to South Africa for much needed aid. Last week, a delegation from Zimbabwe met with South Africa's Finance Minister Trevor Manuel and Reserve Bank Governor Tito Mboweni to request emergency aid for fuel, food and fanning supplies. Although government officials refused to comment on the content of the meeting, South African papers reported over the weekend that Zimbabwe will be granted a loan for hundreds of millions in South African rands.