ninme

Mail & Guardian - Fear of ‘sham’ elections in Zimbabwe by Stefania Bianchi | Brussels, Belgium

Leading European Union officials are warning that the general election in Zimbabwe on Thursday will be a sham.

Hey, here’s a crazy idea! Why don’t you swing by Zimbabwe and make sure it isn’t! That way we don’t have to redo everything after the heads have been busted. We can - get this - prevent all that!

And I love how they’re “warning”. Warning who? The Zimbabweans have known for ages. We’ve known for ages. The only ones this is news to are the ones doing the warning. So… Another colossal waste of time? Looks like it!

The poll will be closely monitored to see whether it meets guidelines adopted by regional African leaders last year on free and fair elections.

Okay, explain this to me. It will be closely monitored, but they’re still warning it’s going to be a sham. So, either the monitors are part of the sham, or else it’s a waste of time, money, and man-power having them there. Why don’t they fly home to Brussels for a coffee and a cigarette, then go back when there’s something to do.