In Case You Haven’t Been Paying Attention To Africa
700.000 people have lost their homes, their jobs or both in the Porta Farm community in Zimbabwe.
Amnesty International has released these satellite images of damage caused by government bulldozers that were sent to “Restore Order” to poor communities.
The organization commissioned the satellite images to demonstrate the complete destruction of Porta Farm — a large, informal settlement that was established 16 years ago and had schools, a children’s centre and a mosque. The organization also released graphic video footage showing the forced evictions taking place prior to the demolitions.
“The images and footage are a graphic indictment of the Zimbabwean government’s policies. They show the horrifying transition of an area from a vibrant community to rubble and shrubs — in the space of just ten months.”
BEFORE
Satellite image of Porta Farm, Zimbabwe, 22 June 2002
AFTER
Satellite image of Porta Farm, Zimbabwe, 6 April 2006
Photos by Digital Globe, Inc. (2006)
Zimbabwe is governed by Tyrant-President Robert Mugabe and his Zimbabwean African National Union. Mugabe is accused of committing crimes against humanity, including mass murder.
Inflation in Zimbabwe is currently running at 1000%.
Once the breadbasket of southern Africa, Zimbabwe’s economy has been shrinking for the past six years and has been dependent on food aid since 2002. At least 75% of Zimbabweans probably have no jobs, and food and fuel are scarcer than ever. Last month, the UN distributed emergency food aid to about one fourth of the 12.5 million population and said many people were surviving on one meal or less a day.
The Bush administration says it is working to foster opposition to President Robert Mugabe, calling his rule illegitimate and irrational.
The United States signalled a hardening of its stance on President Robert Mugabe’s regime on Tuesday when Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice named Zimbabwe in a list of six countries the US considers as outlaw States.
Give the devil his due. The Bush administration has FINALLY gotten something right.