Recently, the humanitarian group known as CARE has been targeted by the government of Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe. All work by CARE ahs been suspended by Mugabe’s administration under allegations that it was siding with opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change Party (MDC).
There have been mass arrests and crackdowns in Zimbabwe by Mugabe’s government on members and supporters of the MDC. At least 50 people have been killed. Mugabe, his wife, and his administration have blamed the MDC for the violence. However, the United Nations and human rights groups blame Mugabe’s Zanu-PF Party for the violence.
A huge crackdown has taken place in preparation of the June 27 runoff election. Tsvangirai had won the election. But, Tsvangirai did not get the majority needed to avoid a runoff election.
Recently, Arthur Mutambara and Eric Matinega were arrested. Mutambara is the leader of a splinter faction of the MDC. Matinega is a legislator and lawyer to Tsvangirai. Political activist Tonderai Ndira who was missing for several weeks had turned up murdered a few days ago.
While attending the UN food conference in Rome, Italy, Mugabe accused the Western nations of trying to take power from him. Mugabe blames the West for Zimbabwe’s economy. However, many blame Mugabe for the economy.
“Funds are being channeled through nongovernmental organizations to opposition political parties, which are a creation of the West,” Mugabe accuses. He added: “These Western-funded NGOs also use food as a political weapon with which to campaign against government, especially in the rural areas.”
Mugabe’s administration accuses CARE of being one of those NGOs. The group has been accused of opposing the Zanu-PF. A few days ago, the activities of CARE has been suspended. However, CARE denies working with the MDC.
Not even the aid groups are safe from Mugabe’s administration.
CARE is one of the largest nonprofit groups in Zimbabwe. The group gives aid to orphans, the elderly, and the sick. It is charged with feeding people and putting children through school.
South African President Thabo Mbeki, the mediator of the crisis, has been criticized for his reaction towards the violence. Recently, Tsvangirai has said that Mbeki is not fit to mediate anymore.