Zimbabwe: a country with sad records

Former South Rhodesia, Zimbabwe became officially independent from UK the 18th April 1980. From this day, Robert Gabriel Mugabe detains the power. This country from the south of Africa is well known for its spectacular Victoria Falls, which make the border with Zambia. Since few years, Zimbabwe digs in a tragic economical and alimentary crisis. Relationship with Occident became tense, and NGOs denounce multiple human rights violations committed by Mugabe’s regime. The farming reform took on by the government was a disaster: rich white farmers’ expropriation lead to a production fall, majority of fields is not cultivated now. Surnamed the “corn garner” of Africa, the country is now a World Food Program client. In May 2005, the government destroyed a lot of residential quarters. Now, more than 700 000 people are without house. The unemployed rate is more than 70%. The country is also strongly touched by the HIV, about 35% of Zimbabwean are concerned. The life expectancy, 37.3 years, has decreased from 20 years in less than a decade. Popular for his fight against racial segregations, Mugabe must now repress the opponent, to keep the power. The next presidential elections in 2008 will be crucial for the country’s future.