9 December 2008
Zimbabwe was moving rapidly to join countries such as Somalia to become a "full-blown failed state," former United Nations chief Kofi Annan said in the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Delivering a speech on "fragile states," Annan named Somalia and Afghanistan as examples of such states.
However, he drew a distinction between these two nations and Zimbabwe.
"Somalia and Afghanistan have a long history of deep poverty and strife," he said. "On the other hand, Zimbabwe was once one of the most prosperous in Africa. Due to the abject failure of its leadership, it is now moving rapidly to becoming a full-blown failed state."
He cited as a consequence of the country's plight:
* A country which used to export food to its neighbours can no longer feed its own people. Five million malnourished Zimbabweans urgently needed food aid;
* A cholera epidemic was spreading quickly;
* Three million Zimbabweans were living in South Africa alone; and
* The collapse of a once-vibrant economy was dampening investment throughout Southern Africa.
Annan was speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations (the Clingendael Institute).
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It is Kofi's Ghana that provided Mugabe with sanctuary before he went back to Zimbabwe to hijack Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, that had many outstanding heros, such as Joshua Nkomo and Sithole.
In Ghana Mugabe went to school, worked as a teacher, and married his first wife: Sally. How bad could Ghana's Kofi be towards Mugabe, when Ghana fed, clothed, educated and ultimately gave him a job and a place to raise a family ?
Mugabe always forgets the hand that fed him. He is not even aware that in 1980 he was voted into office by the majority of Zimbabweans who did not go to war. But now he thinks that all who were at war are his allies. People are dying but dinga ririkutoseka zvaro!! I have read on this site of a woman who had accident with her bowel in a banking hall because of cholera and I am quite sure if it were Grace, Dinga ringadayi ramhanya mhanya. I am sure Zimbabweans now know who might restore their dignity not these funny people in Zanu PF.
Author: ghanaianbred "It is Kofi's Ghana that provided Mugabe with sanctuary "
Did Kofi have anything to do with offering sanctuary?
Moving toward a failed state. Give me a break. It has been parked in a failed state status for over a year or more. It is so sad....talk, talk talk, and more talk...and nothing happens...I guess it is time to plow it under and start all over. if there is anyone alive.
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"On the other hand, Zimbabwe was once one of the most prosperous in Africa. Due to the abject failure of its leadership, it is now moving rapidly to becoming a full-blown failed state."
Mmm... Madiba recently said something similar. These 'Uncle Toms'are certainly coming out of the wood work these days. Before you know it there will be another 'Uncle Tom' in the Whitehouse also talking about the failure of leadership. Bob - best you start looking at whats on the housing market in Caracas and Havana. If I were you, I wouldn't look anywhere on the African continent, apart from Libreville. How is your French or Spanish?
Moribund voices of Kofi Annan's tails. Kofi, the reactionary voice of the West in Africa.
Dude, we ain't listening.
Get lost!
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Everything in Zimbabwe is like a cartoon show. Mugabe does not care at all he is only interested in perpetuating his selfish rule. Everything is haywire.