Election Thankfulness - Zimbabwe Still Waiting

I had a long conversation two days ago with a close friend from Zimbabwe. We talked about many topics, but one exchange stood out as we discussed the American election and the Zimbabwean political crisis.

We were talking about the disappointment being voiced on many Christian websites about the Obama victory. He said:

"All Americans need to be thankful for this election. Not about who won or lost. But about the fact that again and again, one party can be voted out of office and another party can take power. Even when the results are contested like in 2000, the transition takes place peacefully and the losing party accepts defeat and regroups to contest another election in the future."

Eight months after the Zimbabwean elections, the three main parties are still arguing about who won and what positions they will hold in a new government. Eight months after casting their votes, Zimbabweans do not have a transition. Eight months after going to the polls, no one in Zimbabwe is sure when or if their votes will ever be counted or if the parties will ever agree to lead the country. Eight months after the election, thousands of Zimbabweans are giving up hope that they will ever see family members again who disappeared after being beaten, stoned, and burned alive during the campaign season.

Pray for Zimbabwe. Pray that her leaders will put aside their differences and agree to move forward. Zimbabweans are flooding into neighboring countries and more than 1/2 of those left do not have food on their tables. And as you pray for their politicians, be thankful that in four years' time, you will have a chance to vote in peace for whomever you choose.

In related news, Zimbabwe has agreed to repay more than US$7 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria after (basically) admitting that they stole the money for political handouts.