Failed State

The death toll from Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak hit 2,201 today, and there is no sign it is under control. Meanwhile, 1,550 new cases are being reported daily, with the grand total of infected people standing at 41,986.

The Washington Post says that the disease is due to the country's crumbling health care system and economy -- many doctors can no longer afford to work.

In related news, the country has also rolled out a new $100 trillion bank note -- worth about $30 US -- to fight back the dollarisation process underway. Yes, you read that right; 100 trillion, with a T.

Balance of Power

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai will meet with President Robert Mugabe in an effort to salvage the decrepit power-sharing deal between the two.

I'm unsure why the media continues to call Tsvangirai the "opposition leader" when the elections in Zimbabwe are long behind us and the so-called "unity government," which is entirely in disrepair, is supposed to be leading.

The article refers to the meeting as one of Zimbabwe's "last chances" of saving itself from becoming a failed state, but it is obvious Zimbabwe, largely due to Mugabe's dereliction of duty and leadership, has already earned itself that label. I think the international community or the AU need to apply pressure on Mugabe to get the hell out of there.

Failed State Blues

With unemployment near 80% and an inflation rate a surreal 231,000,000% (!!), Zimbabwe has unofficially dollarised, that is, taken a foreign currency as its de facto currency.  Citizens have abandoned the Zimbabwean currency and are widely using U.S. and South African currencies to make everyday purchases.  

The government refuses to acknowledge the extent of the problem, claiming their own currency as still the law of the land.  Some say that dollarisation is a bigger threat to sovereignty than re-colonization given how important money is to a nation's identity.  

To make it official would require an okay by the U.S., which is unlikely.  Zimbabwe is in talks with South Africa to help extend their currency, the rand, into the area and save the economy.  

One of South Africa's negotiating demands is that Mugabe agree to a legit power-sharing deal, which has as yet proved futile.  I suggest they refuse to prop up the economy unless Mugabe unequivocally steps down.