Paul Ohia with agency report
25 June 2008
Lagos — United States presidential hopeful, Barack Obama added his voice yesterday to the international condemnation of President Robert Mugabe, declaring that his regime in Zimbabwe "is illegitimate and lacks any credibility".
He also expressed "deep concern" over opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai plight in the hands of Mugabe's thugs.
The Democratic presidential nominee said that Mugabe's "campaign of repression and brutality" made it impossible for Friday's elections to be free and fair, Times online reported.
"Indeed, it is the result of the abrogated March 2008 elections that represents the genuine will of the Zimbabwean people," he said.
"I have spoken with MDC Leader Morgan Tsvangirai to share my deep concern for the way his supporters are being targeted by the regime and to express my admiration for his efforts."
Obama's intervention represented his first remarks on the crisis in Zimbabwe since June 13.
John McCain, his Republican rival, had repeatedly emphasised what he claimed are his superior foreign policy credentials. But he last commented on Zimbabwe on April 7, describing Mugabe as an "autocrat" and his government a "pariah".
Britain's colonial past in Zimbabwe, as well as the family ties of many UK citizens, probably ensures the issue receives more attention there than elsewhere in the West.
But Darfur is one of the few African crises that has risen high on an often insular US political agenda, mainly because of a campaign run by the Evangelical leaders who are heavily courted by Republicans and - increasingly - Democrats.
Obama, by contrast, has made much of his African heritage as the son of a Kenyan goat herder and his capacity to reach out to the rest of the world.
Last year he sponsored a Bill in the Senate calling on the international community to apply "appropriate pressures" against Mugabe.
He suggested that the solution to a crisis which is affecting the entire region is in Africa's hands. "I am heartened by the growing chorus of African leaders supporting the civil and political rights of the Zimbabwean people," he said.
"But they must do much more to help prevent the crisis in Zimbabwe from spiralling out of control. In particular, the South African Government and the ANC must recognise the need - and must call for - the kind of diplomatic action that is necessary to pressure the Zimbabwean government to stop its repressive behaviour."
If fresh elections prove impossible, added Obama, the US and other countries should tighten "targeted sanctions" and "pursue an enforceable, negotiated political transition in Zimbabwe that would end repressive rule".
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In which world do you live in???Please leave Africa out of your rhetoric!
haha Obama is a while neo-colonial puppet racist.
I think you are either one of those against Obama in the US or Mugabe's toilet paper. Your post does not make sense at all except that its shows your level of degrading. You need to wake to the new world. Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for years, rendered many homeless and killed thousands yet you can't see what Obama is seeing. Thats why white people always look at us black as savages because people like you. Like I said, since you are Mugabe's toilet paper, after wiping his ..., you can ask him to flush you instead of throwing you in the street.
You are telling Obama to mind his own buisiness, yet Mugabe is making quite a joke of himself. His disguisting regime of 30 years has made Zimbabwe the world's buisness. Obviously Mugabe isn't a capable president, quite pathetic I might add.
jadams..you wrote and I quote: Both Obama and Odinga will do whatever job to get power....surely you meant Mugabe will do whatever job to get power...even if it means allowing himself to be held hostage by his army generals and allowing the killing of his own people so as him and his generals can stuff more dollar bills in their pants!
Mugabe is pretty much declaring Zimbabwe his regime.It "is illegitimate and lacks credibility" like obama said.
I suggest the writer of the previous article enlighten him/herself more about the Presumptive nominee, Obama.
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Most expected this to happen. Obama the new Front in the neocolonial scheme of Africa. Mind your own business Mr Hussien Muhammed Obama. You were expected to be a person of reason. It turns out to be the same sell out as that of your uncle Odinga in Kenya. Both Obama and Odinga will do whatever job to get power. Joined a club of status qou! We will not allow Africa to be subjugated by a wolf ib sheep clothing--Obama.