DW: Has Robert Mugabe won? Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Morgan Tsvangirai has withdrawn from the fight Peter Molt: Yes.
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Zimbabwe's opposition weighs run-off option ...
Senegal FM: Mugabe will accept run-off result ... He has once again proved to be a brilliant strategist. The elections in March were controversial. Tsvangirai might have won the majority of votes, but Mugabe shrugged off accusations of election fraud and used violence and terror to intimidate the opposition out of the running, leaving him the sole effective candidate for president.
The international community has expressed concern about the situation in Zimbabwe -- but isn't it reacting a bit late? South African President Thabo Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator, but his position is weakened by the fact that he cannot seek a third term as president of the country in 2009. He is pushing for compromise, which would be a grand coalition between the opposition and Mugabe. Mugabe might have made him certain promises but it seems likely that when the chips are down, he will probably break them or name a successor close to him and thereby ensure that Tsvangirai loses the election.
The situation in Zimbabwe was discussed by the UN Security Council this week. What results had you expected? Not many. The Security Council most probably won't be able to reach any definite conclusion and has few options available to it. No one is going to suggest invading the country and toppling the regime with violence.
Australia has suggested sanctions, French President Nicholas Sarkozy fresh elections. Aren't these options? Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: The Zanu-PF militia have terrorized the country We've seen what elections lead to. Stringent international election monitoring would be necessary and I doubt that would be possible. As for further sanctions -- sanctions against the country exist, and any more would be disastrous for the general public.
Unfortunately, there is little the international community can do. The answer lies with South Africa and Mbeki, and the South African Development Community. The question is how long not only South Africa but also Angola, Namibia and Botswana will allow the situation to continue. That is where the pressure will have to come from.
(Deutsche Welle)
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