Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, met with President Obama at the White House today. “I obviously have extraordinary admiration for the courage, the tenacity that the prime minister has shown, in navigating through some very difficult political times in Zimbabwe,” Obama said.
Zimbabwe “has gone through a very dark and difficult period politically,” Obama said, noting that its president, Robert Mugabe, “has not acted often times in the best interest of the Zimbabwean people and has been resistant to the kinds of democratic changes that need to take place.”
The United States wants “to do everything we can to encourage the kinds of improvement not only on human rights and rule of law, freedom of the press and democracy that is so necessary, but also on the economic front,” Obama said.
The United States is a “friend to the people of Zimbabwe,” and is committed to giving $73 million in assistance. However, the president said, the money will not go through the Zimbabwean government, but rather directly to the people.
What do you think of Obama’s comments about Zimbabwe?
Comments (28)
David Edem
Location: Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
13 June 2009 at 03:07 EDT
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Mugabe is not a democratically minded politician. So, he is unlikely to see the bigger and positive undertone of Obama’s speech concerning the sufferring people of Zimbabwe. I urge all credible African leaders, and they are really very few, to join thier voices with Obama in condemming Mugabe and also help Good-spirited Zimbabweans push him (Mugabe) out. Of what good is an inspired Prime Minister under an indifferent, selfish and uninspired President? As a spent horse, Mugabe lacks the necessary energy for the race that will see Zimbabwe leave the wood and behold the prevailing democratic sunshine of today’s world.
Jalal Uddin Mohammad
Location: Bangladesh
15 June 2009 at 00:30 EDT
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Thanks for your real comment.
IBRAHIM OLUBUNMI OLUFEMI
Location: ogba Lagos
13 June 2009 at 05:08 EDT
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Perfect and good comment
BAKER AKAMURIRA
Location: Makerere University Kampala.
14 June 2009 at 03:49 EDT
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Obama is the most inspiring figure of the 21st century the world has ever seen.
His condemination of the EVIL practices of the Mugabe government is a clear message to the greedy presidents of Africa,that such a catastrophy could easily befall their economies.
The Zimbabweans are witnessing what i could call “hell on earth”for the inflationary spiral that has become the order of the day,the trade off being the demise of innocent homosapians.Morgan’s outcry is a sign of his humaniterian effort to liberate the people of Zimbabwe.
We appreciate his efforts.
Ukwuezi Christian
Location: Lagos Nigeria
13 June 2009 at 11:04 EDT
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Infact what i think about obamas comment is quiet favored to the people of zimbabwe not only people of zimbabwe but the whole world because it is right .
President mugabe is nothing to write home about because of his selfish interest he has towards democracy.
I rightly surpported obama not to give the idiot so called mugabe the money but share to the people of zimbabwe.
I thank God for people who reasons with thier felow human such as obama and I pray God to keep him alive to complete his good work world wide not only american’s.
I advise the whole world to support obama because he is for every body and peace loving person.
Thank God for today obama is world president.
I am Christian Ukwuezi
daniel
Location: Accra [Ghana]
13 June 2009 at 11:39 EDT
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Morgan Tsvangirai has done a great thing by visiting the U.S.. this is what many African leaders must do to help their countries, but not to sit down for things to go bad before seeking for assistance from the rich countries…. I personally congratulate President Obama and his country America for the great work done..this is what the other G8 leaders must do in other to help developing countries especially African countries.
Isang Akpamontia
Location: NIGERIA
13 June 2009 at 15:26 EDT
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I support the poinion of president Obama’s idea. That country has gone through alot of problem and pains due to selfishness on the part of leadership in Zimbabwe.
Tristan Heberlein
Location: Seattle
14 June 2009 at 01:21 EDT
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Good job for making sure the aid money does not go through the government. Non-democratic, corrupt governments do not tend to use aid money in the best interest of the people. Better to skip the middleman. I wonder what programs Obama intends to support - and whether or not they’ll truly promote sustainable economic development - or will they just get the people hooked on aid?
BAKER AKAMPURIRA
Location: Makerere University Kampala.
14 June 2009 at 04:04 EDT
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The heat up of the political temperatures in Zimbambwe came at a time when the so called “Liberator”envisaged danger after relinquishing power for the atrocities committed due to overstay in power.This is the case with many other African leaders who hide under the cover of Democracy and make massive rigging to find their way back.We are tired.
Why can’t we emulate the likes of South Africa and Ghana where we hardly hear of election disputes and grip on power.
It actaully fascinating to have have domestic examples to emulate in African continent yet they do not seem relevant to us.Something must be wrong somewhere.
BAKER AKAMPURIRA
Location: Makerere University Kampala.
14 June 2009 at 04:09 EDT
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The heat up of the political temperatures in Zimbambwe came at a time when the so called “Liberator”envisaged danger after relinquishing power for the atrocities committed due to overstay in power.This is the case with many other African leaders who hide under the cover of Democracy and make massive rigging to find their way back.We are tired.
Why can’t we emulate the likes of South Africa and Ghana where we hardly hear of election disputes and grip on power.
It actaully fascinating to have have do ismestic examples to emulate in African continent yet they do not seem relevant to us.Something must be wrong somewhere.
Gilbert Tor
Location: Abuja Nigeria
14 June 2009 at 05:23 EDT
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A good step in assisting Zimbabwe re- direct its steps towards good governance, economic reconstruction and political stability. This is all that the people need. With these in place, the Zimbabwean people would care less about who is president or Prime Minister. pray, however, through what means would the assistance be given to the zimbabwean people directly?
Gilbert Tor
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
14 June 2009 at 06:11 EDT
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The efforts of Morgan Tsvangirai are already eliciting positive responses for Zimbabwe, especially as a result of his foreign trips and calls to the rest of the World to help redirect Zimbabwe to the path of what governments really mean and stands. This is commendable. I say this because, despite been vilified and visited with violence against his person and supporters, before and after the Elections, he has not maintained a vengeful stance but that of seeing how his country could regain its lost glory. This was very much displayed in his responses during the CNN interview a day or two ago.
Wish him the very best.
Adrian Butt
Location: UK
14 June 2009 at 11:32 EDT
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I do hope the money from America will be used wisely to help the poorest of people and that reversed racial domination will allow white farmers to restore Zimbabwe to what it used to be, the bread basket of Africa.
Zibabwe is one of the most beautiful countries in the world ruined by politicians.
We can no longer trust politicians in the UK and Zimbabwe desperately needs leadership it can trust to work for the good of the nation and not for individual domination, power and wealth.
No leader should govern beyond the age of 70 years and their accumulated wealth should not be allowed out of the country they have perhaps served.
Ashraf Al-Anany
Location: egypt
15 June 2009 at 05:10 EDT
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obama :new america akhenaten
Obama entered the political landscape almost as Akhnaten entered on the political situation that prevailed before, wants to change both on Akhnaten was planning to be priests, not on Obama’s situation is quite different, but surprisingly, Obama is already in the enemy for the first time united to hatred, Israel has declared war against it, just as Oanha Arabs, I am here not as an act Ohll Clappers at the University of Cairo, but I wonder about the real reason to pay the Arabs at the popular level, the formal introduction of this third objective of hostility to a man that as soon as there is desire for change, it’s not already, despite the similarity of Akhnaten features, but I am sure that the priests themselves, the priests of American politics may not allow him to change, especially if it is to change the nature of a boom in U.S. policy, the man talked about the Arabs, perhaps for the first time high, as peoples, as well as the situation for Muslims, to change convictions in U.S. policy can not be compared at all to what is happening in the Arab world, which is possible in the morning to see the far right tends last night in the far left leaning, so I can be objective and should not count too much on Obama, not because the man lacks the desire to move the situation little or a lot, but because the priests would not be happy Akhnaten Btefrat new, will not give up that America is the new world and the woman to remain so, not by force but the soft real force, perhaps not, but Bush’s way through other, less dangerous, frightening scenario that has already disposed of Obama is not far from the scenario to get rid of Akhenaton, then will be those who hate waving badges are the most regretful, just because they realize how limited their view, Srddon: What if we just listened
swap
link in my blog
http://alanany.wordpress.com/2009/06/07/new-america-akhenaten/
Lordashley
Location: Nairobi, Kenya.
15 June 2009 at 09:30 EDT
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Those are real are true words. It is now becoming a trend in Africa for leaders to rig elections & share power with the winner. This is not restricted to Zimbabwe only. We have dictators who don’t flinch about making lives miserable for their fellow countrymen.
Jorg Trummler
Location: Cape Town
16 June 2009 at 02:08 EDT
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PLEASE PLEASE NEVER NEVER any Cent to the Goverment of zimbabwe..
You send money….invest in a person or organisation who manage the moneydistribution………..This organisation or person must also be controlled again from higher outhorisation from the country where the money comes from…………
Rural aerias most important food medical suply…………..BUT distributed under controll………Zimbabwe is such a beautyful country.the local people fantastic
Frinjuah
Location: BOLGA
16 June 2009 at 09:10 EDT
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When will the advance world give grants to developing counties without strings attatched? This act is a grave display of their lack of confidence in the Afican and his governments, which is only a mere reflection ethnocentrism toward the African.
hamza
Location: katsina,nigeria
16 June 2009 at 10:09 EDT
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Obama shouldnt disturb mugabe alone,because countries like nigeria is more of zimbabwe in disguise.Over looking countries like nigeria by the international community means hate for mugabe which will never bring prosperity they pretend to see for Zimbabwe and it’s worsts’ .
Hamza,katsina.
StiveWaugh
17 June 2009 at 04:37 EDT
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ya you are right it should not have…..
——–
maiz
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personal injury lawyer–personal injury lawyer
Ladan Ya,u (Ayo)
Location: Abuja
17 June 2009 at 06:01 EDT
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Its commendable Obama for granting assistance to Zimbabwe.But Obama shouldn,t remain passive watching these African leaders misusing power and resources of our dear countries to the detriment of their personal interest. Because we have the resources what we need desperately are credible leaders to forged us ahead. You can also assist them by ensuring that there are free fair elections.We know you can
IREDIA OSIFO
Location: BENIN CITY, NIGERIA
18 June 2009 at 23:55 EDT
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President Obama must be appreciated for comments he made about Zimbabwe during the visit to the White House of the country’s Prime Minister. The U.S must continue to put pressure on Robert Mugabe to try and convince him that since his presidency began, he has never acted in the best interest of his people.
aghadilbar
Location: pakistan
19 June 2009 at 00:49 EDT
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Subject Peace and Prosperity
Dear President Barack Obama
The Grate Leader of the World
I Aghadilbar have sent Mr. President 100 registered research
Letters (1000 new ideas to develop America and to Change the World for Peace and Prosperity) through Embassy of USA
ISLAMABAD till today dated 6/19/2009, and also direct sent these registered
Letters to WHITEHOUSE WASHINGTON DC 20500.These letters have been written on the guidelines of CHANGE WE NEED. And
These letters are about the Common Men Problems of respected American Peoples and their
Solutions. To end, Economic Recession, Unemployment and to finish War,all round the World for
Peace and prosperity.In these letters I have sent one thousand new scientfic planning /suggestings,about every walks of life for Peace through Friendship Progress and Prosperity all over the World.
Dear Barack Obama,The Grate Leader of the World ,my friend, my brother, Provide an opportunity to Aghadilbar to pay an Official
Visit to America, so that we two brothers can sit together and by halting this horrible war, can take out 6.5 trillion people of the World from abyss of destruction and then put them on the road to Progress and Prosperity.
I Aghadilbar have a new War Strategy to achieve success through Table Tack between Talban, Pakistan and American Govts.Through this War Strategy Pakistan and American govts can save expanses on war.Through this planning American and Pakistani govts, can utilise their saving on war budgets for development of schools, hospitals,colonies, markets, roads,bridges,dams,canals and industries of Swat and tribal areas of NWFP that are war affected.
I Aghadilbar have sent Ten Million research Peace Letters to International Community from 9/11 incident till today. This letter is my Grate Peace Mission plan which is continued. Please hear my Voice of Trouth, I can save the World, for my Grate Peace Mission ,with the help of President Barack Obama, Peace and Prosperity. Mr Barack Obama you are not only the leader of America, you are Grate Leader of the World. In this connection I am waiting for your Email response dated 2.10.2009.
Please Confirm
Aghadilbar (founder)
INTERNATIONAL REVOLUTION MOVEMENT
64-neelum block ait LAHORE (PAKISTAN)
This letter has been sent twenty thousand (20000) to international community till today.
Rex
Location: nigeria
19 June 2009 at 12:39 EDT
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I think the decision by presidet barack as regards the offering of assistance to zimbabwe is rightobama is right.
arfandia
Location: Nigeria
25 June 2009 at 03:08 EDT
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i’m agree with you rex, president obama decision was right.
Saul
16 July 2009 at 14:11 EDT
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very helpful post, you should post more stuff related to this.
One Soul Zimbabwe
Location: Zimbabwe
10 August 2009 at 09:03 EDT
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There are no Zimbabwean comments and I wish to add a Zimbabwean voice from a Zimbabwean perspective.
1. The US passed into law ZDERA section 4(c) that crippled Zimbabwe’s finance trading for the past ten years in an attempt to cause regime change in Zimbabwe. This was against the position of the Southern African 14 member regional body, SADC, and the African Union.
2. The EU had been applying sanctions against Zimbabwe without any UN resolution that approve to such an inhuman act.
3. Being a very small economy, the Zimbabwean government that had always depended on the west for its trade and finance, succumbed to intellectual exodus, economic refugees, internal hate as envisaged by the sanctions act.
4. Mugabe government had taken once stolen lands from children of colonialists back to the rightful owners who really nee it thereby starting a diplomatic war with Britain that had its kith and kin removed from the lands.
5. The US had promoted propaganda machinery through its embassy and NGOs and tabloids to propagate hate and uprising in Zimbabwe. The American diplomatic mission had bee acting like an HQ for opposition politics, especially the MDC led by PM Tsvangirai.
6. The PM Tsvangirai had asked the US to use all force it can to remove Mugabe from power unconstitutionally, more important, sabotage of Mugabe government’s economic activities. ZDERA is one such answer to opposition politics participation against the people of Zimbabwe in a vein effort to cause regime change.
7. As a Zimbabwean, whether it is PM or the President who is in power is not of importance because we have economic dreams apart from politics of the day. The PM Tsvangirai had once asked the hand of US to destroy his own country in order for him to march into State House as president should be, as head of government today, restore the damages they have caused to the ordinary person.
8. It was naïve of my Pm to ask America to help him destroy a prosperous country’s economic infrastructure in the vein hope of political mileage. In fact, the method from PM’s opposition was never practiced by any opposition party in the world where a political aspirant calls for sanctions to turn the electorate on his side.
9. Since 1980 Zimbabwe has been described as the most democratic developing African nation up till the international onslaught started in 2000 after land was repossessed. More draconian laws were pushed through parliament as a measure to contain overt war from western backed regime change agenda.
10. Today, America is condemning Zimbabweans to a bankrupt government that is blocked to do business with the Breton Woods because of what is called “undemocratic tendencies” by the US which actually killed our economy.
11. Please get to understand that this Mugabe planned to be removed by political machinations of trying to run and African country through NGOs is stronger in Africa that the western political investment on cards. Mugabe, with peers, created a political movement that fought the same westerners for national independence and won.
12. Only an all out war can remove, for a moment, the government of liberation in Zimbabwe. President Obama may not understand that Africans have pride in defeating forces of colonialism and President Mugabe is today’s centre of that African force.
13. The PM made a very bold position to engage the revolutionary leader because here in Zimbabwe we really know who was losing the battle and the consequences that was to befall.
14. I therefore submit that the US engage Zimbabwe as GNU and stop aiding the PM’s party and his NGO support for this will bring more suffering of the people. As for relinquishing the country’s reigns of power to poverty is not possible in Africa.
Michelle Austein Brooks
America.gov Staff
10 August 2009 at 09:12 EDT
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Thanks for sharing a Zimbabwean perspective
SIMON DAU MIAPER
Location: UGANDA KAMPALA
15 October 2009 at 10:55 EDT
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Thanks you very much president Obama,for the kindly assistance to Zimbabwean citizen. But my big worry is that, would those money reach to the needy population? But thank God that, you have washed your hands by offering such amout of money. Africa leaders are always selfcentre and forget their fellow african. And alway struggle in demanding positions to solve their relative problems.
may God always touch they giver heart to assist such population in whatever needs they want. Please never give up, the almighty father in heaven is going to reward and bless the hands and heart that give,and not only that , whatever you give to the poor peaple,God do appreciatedit so much.