Zimbabwe Update -- Is Resistance Possible?

The Times reports on Mad Bobby Mugabe's campaign of destruction and quotes a UN official to the effect that it represents a "new apartheid." The most interesting parts of the story, though, comes near the end.

[W]ithin Zimbabwe, reaction has been muted. This is a population that has been cowed by years of torture, rape and food deprivation, where up to 40% are infected with HIV.

NI_MPU('middle');

A two-day mass “stay-away” from work fizzled out last week, leaving Mugabe triumphant and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in disarray.

....

Many within the opposition believe that they are in danger of becoming irrelevant if they do not act soon to topple Mugabe. Leading members are demanding that the party takes a more confrontational stance.

“Passive resistance has not worked,” said Nelson Chamisa, chairman of the MDC Youth League. “It is time to engage in active struggle.”

Somehow I doubt that significant resistance will emerge. If it does you can count on Mugabe to respond in the most ruthless fashion possible.