Mugabe and Ahmadinejad: Power couple step out
By Thandiwe Vela
The first couple of democracy will be making an appearance together later this month.
"Zimbabwe and Iran enjoy strategic co-operation partnerships," Ambassador Pour Najaf said after the appearance was announced.
Partnerships between the two nations are no mystery - after all, the likeness of Ahmadinejad and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is uncanny. One need not look beyond the latest embattled elections in Zimbabwe and Iran to see the identical modus operandi of the two leaders.
Fair count? Who needs it. Opposition? Violently silence it. Still in power? High five.
No doubt, the parallels between the two elections were stark - except in the degree of protest, it seems. While international protest of the controversial Iranian election results was loud, viral, and fierce, concern about the blatant miscarriage of political justice in Zimbabwe was largely kept to private and personal gatherings.
It's a shame too because as one blogger noted, Tsvangirai really coulda used it.
Despite the disproportionate reaction to the duplicate actions of Mugabe and Ahmadinejad, I think it's fair to say their popularity ratings are equally dismal.
With so many against this power-crazed pair, at least they have each other to lean on.
The question is, do they talk and exchange ideas a lot, or just possess some kind of despot telepathy?
Thandiwe Vela is a Star radio room reporter, Silver-T varsity athlete, and secretary of the Canadian Association of Black Journalists. Her goals are to become president of Zimbabwe and to beat Usain Bolt in a 60-metre race.
The first couple of democracy will be making an appearance together later this month.
On April 23, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, to officially open the annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.
"Zimbabwe and Iran enjoy strategic co-operation partnerships," Ambassador Pour Najaf said after the appearance was announced.
Partnerships between the two nations are no mystery - after all, the likeness of Ahmadinejad and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is uncanny. One need not look beyond the latest embattled elections in Zimbabwe and Iran to see the identical modus operandi of the two leaders.
Fair count? Who needs it. Opposition? Violently silence it. Still in power? High five.
No doubt, the parallels between the two elections were stark - except in the degree of protest, it seems. While international protest of the controversial Iranian election results was loud, viral, and fierce, concern about the blatant miscarriage of political justice in Zimbabwe was largely kept to private and personal gatherings.
It's a shame too because as one blogger noted, Tsvangirai really coulda used it.
Despite the disproportionate reaction to the duplicate actions of Mugabe and Ahmadinejad, I think it's fair to say their popularity ratings are equally dismal.
With so many against this power-crazed pair, at least they have each other to lean on.
The question is, do they talk and exchange ideas a lot, or just possess some kind of despot telepathy?
Thandiwe Vela is a Star radio room reporter, Silver-T varsity athlete, and secretary of the Canadian Association of Black Journalists. Her goals are to become president of Zimbabwe and to beat Usain Bolt in a 60-metre race.
We all know the reason as to why the reaction to Iran's sham elctions where more vocal on an international scale than Zimbabwe's equally sham elections.
I should start a rumor - Oil reserves found in the Victoria Falls. What was that i heard? Help coming? That will do the trick.
Posted by: T Chiome | 04/14/2010 at 07:08 AM