Obama Mulls Tougher UN Action on Zimbabwe

Newly elected US President Barack Obama is fronting a US-led diplomatic effort for tougher UN sanctions to compel Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to return his ailing country to democracy and economic recovery. US media sources say Obama has been discussing the new push with his key Africa advisers, alongside plans for a diplomatic negotiations with Russia and China to ensure they do not block the planned sanctions, which could include an arms embargo, foreign investment pullouts and expanding the list of Mugabe’s associates under sanction. Zimbabwe is reeling under a cholera epidemic that has claimed over 3,000 lives, as well as an economic meltdown fuelled by hyperinflation. Last year, China and Russia vetoed UN moves to impose sanctions on Mugabe’s regime after he was roundly accused of rigging elections won by Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in order to remain in power. [PE]