News Analysis

1. Who is Robert Mugabe? How long has he been in power? How popular is he?
Its the Zimbabwe President. He has held power as the President since 1987, since 28 years. Mugabe is hailed by many Africans as a hero, but he is not popular on his country because of his spends habits on this poor country.
2. Who is Morgan Tsvangirai? Which is/ has been his political role?
Its the Zimbabwe Prime Minister, the President of the Movement for democratic change and the key figure of the oppostion of President Robert Mugabe. It rules with Mr. Mugabe in a shared government.
3. What happened during last year's elections? Which was the outcome?
The three major candidates were President Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front, Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change, and Simba Makoni, an independent. As no candidate received an outright majority in the first round, a second round was held on 27 June 2008 between Tsvangirai and Mugabe. Tsvangirai withdrew from the second round a week before it was scheduled, citing violence against his party's supporters. The second round went ahead, despite widespread criticism, and led to victory for Mugabe.
4. Whis is the economic situation in Zimbabwe? How do the people feel about this?
It is a very poor country, and it has the highest inflation in the world. People are angry that a President has $250,000 birthday party when people doesn't have clean water or hospitals.
5. What do you think about the celebrations and the lavish party?Based only on the article below, define a conflict.
Its inmoral. Its the same as Mexico, that the rulers have big houses, nice cars, great parties, when at some places they do not have schools, hospitals, or even food.

• a) Give the conflict a name and explain why you think it is a conflict.
• The inmoral party, it is a conflict because people of the same country fight over it.
• b) Who is involved and why?
• The citizens of Zimbabwe and Mugabe supporters.
• c) Explain in detail why the conflict has happened.
• Zimbabwe is in great need of hospitals, doctors and nurses because of the cholera outbreak that has killed more than 3000 people, and the ruling party instead of raising money for this disaster, raises money for a party for the president.
• d) Give a timeline of events (at least 5) related to the conflict.
• August 20, 2008: The cholera outbrake epidemia broke.
• Februry 21, 2009: Mugabe's 85th birthday and started getting money for his party.
• February 27, 2009: Tsvangirai visited Harare Hospital.
• February 28, 2009: Mungabe spent 250 000 in his clebration.
• March 1, 2009: Appealed to the international community to help Zimbabwe's crippled economy.
• e) How do you think this conflict can be solved and why?
• I think the only solution that can solve this problem is that the people that support Mugabe could take him out of the presidency, so they put another president that the people could choose.