No. 5 Zimbabwe
Few global figures draw more scorn and condemnation than Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe. Once the leader of the "new" Zimbabwe, and even the subject of song and praise, Mugabe has spent years squandering Zimbabwe's agricultural resources and eradicating its democratic institutions since being elected to power in 1980. After spending much of the '80s silencing and eliminating political opponents, Mugabe decided in 1987 to drop the pretense altogether and abolish the position of prime minister. Once regarded as the "bread basket" of Africa, Zimbabwe has gradually deteriorated into an import dependent third-world nation. Subsequent elections, following the 1987 power grab, were roundly criticized as rigged and suppressive. With the country hitting an all-time low both economically and politically, many saw a glimmer of hope and reform in the March presidential election. Mugabe's primary opponent, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, earned nearly 48% of the vote, falling short of the necessary majority to win the seat of president. The first round of voting went mostly smoothly and peacefully. The same would not be said for the second. Shortly after a recount codified the first round results, reports of voter intimidation and, even worse, torture began to leak out of Zimbabwe. Rights groups and opposition leaders soon told of torture camps; constructed by Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF to punish and suppress Tsvangirai's supporters in the second round of voting. On June 22, Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew his name from presidential consideration. Fearing more and more violence and reprisal against his supporters, the opposition leader opted to cede the "violent sham" to his enemies, and instead turned to African neighbors and the global community for help. With 2008 rapidly coming to a close, Zimbabwe still finds itself in a state of indefinite political paralysis. A cholera epidemic has swept over the countryside, although Mugabe denies that such an epidemic even exists. The world community has condemned Mugabe, while the west has taken a step further with the threat of further sanctions on the president if he continues to ignore calls for a power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe. Mugabe doesn't appear to be budging, as just this week he has promised to continue a controversial land policy, wherein land is confiscated from white Zimbabweans and handed over as political patronage to Mugabe's wealthy supporters. Now, an election that for a moment inspired hope in a ravaged and impoverished nation has only led to political deadlock. A deadlock that is apparently certain to spill over into 2009, and onto the plate of the next American administration.
