Robert Mugabe, tyrant

Zimbabweans went to the polls today in a crucial parliamentary vote that could severely threaten Mugabe's grip on power. Only problem is, the election was a foregone conclusion. The reports coming in only confirm what most already thought: Mugabe and his ruling party ZANU-PF have taken all precautions to ensure their victory.

One indication of the level of corruption in Zimbabwe comes from yesterday's Washington Post:

Hundreds of bags of cornmeal were stacked in front of a bar near here this month, rising as high as its roof. The only problem for the hungry people of this drought-stricken area was that the food, like the bar, was controlled by officials from the ruling party. With a crucial election nearing, they weren't about to give it to just anyone.

The officials first held a rally by their impressive mound of food, witnesses here said. The next day, as hundreds of people from surrounding villages gathered to collect the 110-pound bags they had ordered and paid for months before, ruling party officials announced that only their supporters were eligible. When the names of opposition voters were called, they were simply handed back their money, according to several people who were turned away. The leftover bags went on sale hours later for twice the price.

Using food as a political weapon is nothing new. Mugabe, unfortunately, has perfected it.