Zimbabwean life-expectancy has collapsed in the past five years, falling from over fifty-five years of age to under thirty-four. HIV is rampant, and food shortages are so severe that a rare protein deficiency disease is exploding. Conditions are especially bad in areas where opponents to the government reside and to which the ruling party often denies food aid. The malnourished and beaten masses--many of whom have HIV--are fleeing the country for neighboring states, which is destabilizing the region's healthcare. It is estimated that thirty percent of the Zimbabwean population has left the country in the past three years, and half of the remaining ten million people are starving. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has called the latest general election for March 31 of this year. With no chance the election will be free and fair, the opposition has decided to take part only under protest.
The experts at this event will discuss the election, life in Zimbabwe, current policies toward the Mugabe regime, and possible policy options for the U.S. government.
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