Zimbabwe's longtime ruler, Robert Mugabe, is not getting a reprieve from President Obama, who is actively continuing U.S. efforts to convince the international community, and particularly Zimbabwe's neighbors, that they must not stand by as the country's people continue to suffer from humanitarian and economic catastrophe and a lack of political freedom.

The United States increased targeted sanctions against leaders and supporters of Mugabe's regime in response to the country's sham presidential runoff election in June 2008 and the failure of Mugabe to negotiate with good faith in power-sharing talks with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). MDC won the March 2008 parliamentary elections and its presidential candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, received the most presidential votes, but he was forced to withdraw from the runoff election as the result of violent attacks against his supporters.

Both the Obama and Bush administrations have recognized that although bilateral sanctions have had an impact, they have not convinced Mugabe to either step aside or share power in a meaningful way. Peaceful democratic change in the landlocked country is much more likely to occur when Zimbabwe's neighbors in the Southern African Development Community take action.

U.S. leaders, including Ambassador James McGee in Harare, have pointed out that the continued deterioration of Zimbabwe is presenting significant risks to its neighbors. (See "Zimbabwe Approaching 'Failed State' Status, U.S. Ambassador Says.")

The country's cholera epidemic has begun to spread to neighboring South Africa. Zimbabwe's neighbors have been challenged to absorb millions of refugees who have fled disease, economic hardship and political repression.

OBAMA REACHES OUT TO SOUTH AFRICA DURING HIS FIRST WEEK

In a January 27 telephone call to South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, President Obama emphasized Pretoria's role as a regional leader and one of Africa's strong democracies. According to a White House statement, the two leaders discussed the situation in Zimbabwe and Obama "noted that South Africa holds a key role in helping to find a resolution to the political crisis" there.

Likewise, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has spoken with South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping. According to acting State Department spokesman Robert Wood, Clinton "is very interested in what's going on in Zimbabwe."

USAID has supplemented its food aid to Zimbabwe with emergency assistance due to the cholera epidemic.

"We are going to do what we can, working with countries in the region, to try to put additional pressure on Mugabe to basically ... negotiate seriously" in power-sharing talks with the MDC, Wood said January 28. But Mugabe "clearly is not interested in ... an equitable solution to the political crisis in the country, and we need to see further pressure coming from the region."

President Obama named Susan Rice as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Rice has an extensive background in the African region, having served as assistant secretary of state for African affairs during the Clinton administration.

At her January 15 confirmation hearing in the U.S. Senate, Rice said the Obama administration would be pressuring Zimbabwe's neighbors. She added her belief that there is potential to work with both China and Russia, which previously vetoed U.N. Security Council resolutions targeting Zimbabwe, by maximizing common bilateral interests.

There is no reason why Russia and China "are unable to separate themselves from the regime of Robert Mugabe. ... Their interests no longer, frankly, coincide," Rice said. (See "U.N. Ambassador-designate Urges Cooperation Against Autocrats.")

MORE U.S. ASSISTANCE TO COMBAT CHOLERA

Meanwhile, the United States is working with others in the international community to try to alleviate the cholera epidemic and provide assistance to those who have been affected. The epidemic began in August 2008 and has affected all of the country's provinces, with 48,000 reported cases and 2,755 deaths from the disease as of January 22.

On January 28, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) said it is consigning nearly 440,000 bars of soap, valued at nearly $365,000, to the U.N. Children's Fund. Cholera is a preventable disease, and clean drinking water and improved hygiene can help prevent it from spreading. (See "Zimbabwe to Receive $6.2 Million from U.S. Aid Agency.")

Humanitarian organizations will distribute the soap as part of a hygiene education program, USAID said.

The cholera epidemic occurred on top of continued food shortages in Zimbabwe, which was once a major food exporter. According to the World Food Programme, 7 million Zimbabweans, or more than half of the population, will need food assistance to survive until the next harvest in April.

USAID said it has provided more than $264 million in food and health assistance to Zimbabwe since October 2007. The agency has also pledged $6.8 million in emergency water, sanitation, hygiene and health assistance since the cholera epidemic broke out.