U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe is hopeful the military takeover of Zimbabwe from President Robert Mugabe leads to a true democratic state for the beleaguered African country. Mugabe has been president since 1987. He is now under house arrest by the military, which is claiming its takeover of the government is not a coup. The move is likely to be challenged by the Southern Africa Development Community.
“I’m encouraged by the reports of a peaceful action by the Zimbabwean military to reject the brutal and restrictive dictatorship of President Mugabe, who single-handedly cast Zimbabwe, once the bread basket of Africa, into chaos and disarray. While Zimbabwe still has a long road to true freedom and democracy, I am cautiously optimistic that the military’s apparent efforts to restore differing viewpoints to the government will be an important step in that journey. The United States should work with our partners in the region to support constructive efforts to bring much needed change Zimbabwe’s political system that will allow the nation to once again see the stability and economic prosperity it was long known for and now so desperately needs,” said Inhofe.
